Creating Conversations Is how We Create Relationships

Where would our conversations at work, networking events, or elsewhere be without small talk?

Small talk inspires much more than trivial babble, often setting in motion some of our most-valued relationships.

We often overlook the importance of this deeply rooted yet habitual part of our social fabric. Small talk allows us to tap into relationship dimensions of power, solidarity, formality, and function using what linguists call topic management to lead conversations toward intended outcomes, like business or networking pitches.