| If the answer is no, you can ask a different question or change topics to something more neutral and casual. We exchanged hellos with colleagues on our way in from the parking lot, chatted about our weekends . I had to call my sister (in recruitment in Sydney) to confirm! In some ways it puts you off, as it's just hassle. Heres a slightly more positive sounding version of the same question: What worked well when dealing with this client? Some psychologists have suggested that gossip is one of the most important mechanisms for bonding social groups. The resultsrevealed that small talk was both uplifting and distracting. Don't worry, the job will get done. Many critiques of small talk reference a demonstration organized by Duke University Psychologist Dan Ariely as evidence that there might be some real advantages from banishing small talk from our daily lives. Published December 9, 2021 in Teamwork Dominic Price Work Futurist 5-second summary Feeling connected to your colleagues isn't about high-fives at the office. With flexible working hours, it's much easier to have time to talk with your colleagues. Using the word manage shows that youre not complaining; youre trying to adapt. Additionally, be alert for notes of stress and burnout in others. You got something out of the conversation! Jokes at anyone's expense 7. In this case, you have two options for continuing the conversation: Lets talk about some more engaging work-related questions first. Do you go out of your way to avoid neighbors and co-workers so that you do not have to engage in idle chitchat about the weather and other equally inoffensive topics? I like to receive more!! Im really looking forward to it. That was one of the great myths put to rest I had never worked harder or longer hours in my life. Some people hate small talk because they perceive it as a waste of time and as an impediment to a meaningful conversation; others may hate it simply because they are not good at it. It also shows that you value their opinion. Whats been inspiring you recently? Read on to find out how to small talk like an expert! We at Business Insider asked expats from our own office, and execs to find out what surprised them most about Australian working culture. (On a Monday morning) what's for dinner tonight (say you and a colleague are walking out of the office of an evening together) what are you up to this weekend (any time on a Friday) the weather, and although this is a cliche, you have a different perspective, like 'it's so cold this week! "Most of us spend so long at work, so it's worth investing in those relationships." For example, studies indicate that people are happier when they talk to others, even if it is just strangers on a subway, and even if it is just small talk. This can also set a positive tone for a meeting. Try to use friendly, happy intonation so they feel like youre actually glad to see them. Employees can also ask themselves, Have I been feeling more or less connected today? Whom can I reach out to if I need support? and What relationships are the most important to me? Meanwhile, simple strategies like regular brief check-ins can do a lot to alleviate employees feelings of loneliness. HBR Learnings online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Writing Skills. My observation back then was in Australia, when compared with the UK and US, this was more skewed towards play rather than work as Australia's working days were typically shorter and holiday entitlements longer. Though easy, this approach is extremely effective: Research shows that employees feel the greatest sense of belonging at work when their coworkers simply text or email to ask how theyre doing. It sounds like you need to have an additional conversation with your employer about their specific expectations for your interactions and the small talk topics you feel comfortable discussing. First-rate analysis decoding the culture and speech norms of the American Workplace. Originally from Estonia, and having worked in Finland before coming to Australia, what surprised me is how similar Australia is compared to the Nordics in terms of mentality: quality over quantity; education and wellbeing are the highest priorities; and work-life balance is sacred. This small talk at the margins of a work conversation was probably something you scarcely even noticed. What I am no longer surprised by, but constantly reminded of, is the limitless capacity for innovation. Knowing when to initiate small talk and also knowing when to move on and escalate the level of discourse beyond the mundane will make you a popular conversational partner. I'm Malaysian and used to work in Malaysia. It's refreshing to see that everyone's voice is heard and there are very few social formalities within the Australian working culture. Of course, I wouldnt rather kill myself). That goes hand in hand with how laid back it is! Drawing on our research, we offer managers and employees the following advice: Encourage new social rituals. It's refreshing because it means there's a much faster working environment and people generally communicate in a way that gets their point across. Small talk is a big deal. Conflicts with Coworkers 2. Aside from the unforeseen amount of coffee I'm drinking here at work, I find there's surprisingly little bureaucracy and regulations when it comes to doing business in Australia. However, I also noticed that it didn't come at the cost of hours put in at work. Cool apps or useful websites, especially if they help you do work better. Some even arrive at meetings exactly at the start time to avoid having to chitchat. How can you segue from small talk to the substance of the formal agenda? Ignore the rules and think about the real issues. Good summary. For a country with such a great climate and an outdoors lifestyle, it's a car culture. I'm originally British and lived and worked in London for 12 years. You could eat lunch together once a week, as an example. Managers should also steer teams away from potentially controversial topics like religion, politics, and romantic relationships. The first thing I'd say is that the cultural differences were clearly less apparent to me than they were to my colleagues from the US head office. Money 3. The reality is that if you come from working across markets such as Europe or the US, the size of organisations and industry is much smaller here. General small talk topics- how was your weekend? Thank you so much for sharing. That change requires action, it takes a risk-aptitude and a willingness to fail, something that we have to encourage and foster. Just past Epping, but I normally go via the ring road. These days, astute managers invite meeting participants to join a scheduled virtual meeting even five minutes or so before the planned start time so they can simply chat. Lets get started! You should avoid talking about your coworkers family, unless youre 100% sure that they have children. Then bc of tone of voice or what I say comes ride or abrasive. After youve talked with your coworker for a few minutes, you probably want to return to your work. They reduce the uncertainty and sense of personal risk that any new behaviour initially carries, especially for those from under-represented groups. To us Poms it felt like a, somewhat warmer, home away from home. (Check out my video on Hows your day been? and all its variations for more ideas on what to ask and how to respond. People contribute their best work, feel more committed and put in more discretionary effort when they experience their co-workers as people of goodwill towards them. Your email address will not be published. Everyone is accepted and as long as you're willing to work you will be accepted and welcomed no matter where you come from. Naturally, the first thing you should do is greet your coworker with an enthusiastic Hey Jim! or Hi Carrie!. Even Sydney Airport Arrivals has this plastered on a massive wall as soon as you get out of customs! Talking about politics can be controversial, as people have very different beliefs. One of the conclusions that many drew from these results was that engaging in small talk diminishes ones well-being. Maybe it's because everyone in Sydney loves coffee so much, but I have managed to get in front of some really senior people just for a coffee. This was a side benefit of the face-to-face office. Its hard enough for any newcomer to the workplace, but when youre operating outside your first culture, it can be even more stressful. Learn more and adjust your preferences in Cookie Settings. Weight and Physical Appearance Published on July 8, 2019 7 Inappropriate Conversation Topics in the Workplace Claudia Reiners In this post Show If you enter the room and a conversation is already underway, try to add something to the conversation, or ask a question. Think of small talk as a tool that negotiates and defines a relationship. Heres what I did.. And talking about commuting, it is pretty different here. Many people suggest that footy talk is a good option at an interview, which is probably true. We should be competing on the global stage on a much more regular basis. Im going to try that with my client. They say it makes them anxious, spreads gossip, wastes time, and isinauthentic and awkward. Practise and observe your colleagues. While some may fall prey to conspiracy theories more easily, anyone can fall for the "right" one due to biases in how they process information. Similar to the previous question, this is a good one to ask when you want potential solutions to your problem. Other things I noticed are: There aren't as many big corporates, so lots of other business people I meet are in small businesses or start-ups. You probably know by now that making small talk is an essential communication skill. Use it if it is your interest. You need to get use to the Aussie office slang. Australians seem to appreciate that they spend more time with their colleagues than anyone else. Kim, In Australia, only 16% of the STEM skilled workforce are women while 90% of women with a STEM qualification work in non-STEM related fields, according to the Australian Academy of Science. That's kind of fun actually. Current Zoom etiquette seems to call for meetings to get underway on schedule, without any opportunity for initial social connection. When it's done right small talk can help create a golden workplace culture where people feel safe, secure, and at home. How personal should you be? Discover Why and What It Requires. When I first started working in Australia I was immediately struck by the "work hard, play hard" culture that was often talked about. We've fallen in to the trap of focusing on the 24-hour news cycle and the monthly results instead of having a long-term plan that involves real investment in our population and our capabilities. "Aussies are social and enjoy small talk, both in the office and out, so it will help you relate if you can get comfortable with it as well. In London there is the pub culture and all the media companies (and lots of my friends from other industries too) have their preferred "local" where half the company congregate on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night. (For examples of questions to ask and how to answer, be sure to check out this article where I break it down.). Once your coworker mentions that they have children, then you can ask some questions about the family. At work i am struggling to come up with small conversations and now i feel more confident because of what you have provided. Im sorry to hear that youre concerned about offending someone. Aside from talking about minor illnesses like colds and allergies, you should avoid asking any questions about your coworkers health. As an expat, I see that the culture here is for Australians to work very hard and take their jobs and careers very seriously. They were engaged in 2012 and Ms Selenge came to Australia two years later, along with her daughter and son . Whereas here it's a lot of "if I don't go now, my next ferry is an hour". Being friendly and showing interest in your coworkers can really help you in your career. And each night they reported their levels of well-being and prosocial behaviors. I have Autism and am 22 years old. "Snitching" can be thought of as a form of "good gossip" that serves the interests of a group. Small talk describes all those brief, social conversations that often occur at transition points during the typical working day when people are physically together in the office. Ice-breakers need to feel natural and unforced. Another topic to avoid is health. The expression on the horizon means something thats approaching, or something thats coming your way. After a colleague volunteers information about their family, this is usually an indication that it is a safe topic and one they probably like talking about. If someone asks, How are you? its ill-mannered to rant about your bad day. It can be really challenging to understand cultural expectations when working in another country, and it can be even harder to find ways to connect. After checking in with your coworker, the conversation may end as you both head back to your work. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Having such a culture is attractive to prospective employees. I was given a write up for that. Moreover , this try to ease of things before talking about serious topics . Managers and employees alike should be careful not to let social conversations take a negative turn. The positive effect of these small regular exchanges builds working trust and good relations. Sure, working across a global business can have its challenges for leadership meetings but on the whole I've worked for US California-based companies for a while and it works well for me. Gemma Labadini, business development director at Allure Media. These brief, casual conversations are a great way to get to know new people, but they can be even more important in the workplace. Use these 85 strategies and reflection questions to clarify your next steps. Hopefully, your conversations at work will progress beyond the trivial so that you can communicate at a deeper level about things that really interest you. Cookie Policy |Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy. The National Employment Standards (NES) are a set of 11 minimum entitlements which must be provided to all national workplace system employees in Australia. Ive been focused on the presentation for my biggest client later this week.