Practice Smalltalk

Are you an introvert? Is it hard for you to make connections and lead a team? Practice! I’m by nature an introvert but I make a point of working on being more outgoing - including in situations far from work.

If someone you never met strolls up to the hotel hot tub you are in - make conversation- you have a captive audience! Sharing an elevator? Say hello. If it feels uncomfortable you know the door will open soon! The cleaning lady has just come into your hotel room? Ask her how her day has been. The point is that sometimes it’s easier to flex your smalltalk muscles in less threatening sitations - when it’s someone you’ll never meet again, or when you have an easy excuse to walk away, for example.

Set a goal for yourself to exchange a few words with a total stranger once a day or once a week, whatever you are comfortable with, and I guarantee it will get easier and pay dividends in your working life.