small talk can lead to……..BIG RESULTS!

I have learned over many years how to meet and talk with people. Was it simple or easy? Not for me as it took effort and time, and still does, but it has been rewarding. I have met some great and fun people in my life and anticipate meeting many more. Many of you fit into that category.

Recently on vacation I met a couple from Canada. I think I started out by asking Michael if they were just checking into the hotel where we were staying. He and his wife, Cherie, had been at the hotel a few days and, without much prompting, proceeded to tell us some things they enjoyed and suggested some things we avoid.

Over the next several days we would occasionally bump into them and exchange pleasantries and kid each other about stuff. They were very nice people and if they lived in this area we would make an effort to get to know them better.

It sounds simple, right? Well it can be, but one of the things it took me awhile to learn was to stop thinking about me or especially talking about me and my interests when I met someone and concentrate on getting to know the person I was talking to.

Here are some ideas on beginning a conversation from an e-mail newsletter I received:

‘The Path to Strong Connections Always Starts with Small Talk. Your first few connection steps must be brief, steady, and pleasant if you ever want to get to the meaty conversations.

The art of making successful small talk is the skill of asking insightful questions that quickly lead to new connections. The questions are the spark that creates the intimacy. The sharing of experiences spawns new connections.

The first questions should be broad, the second more focused and the final narrow. After the three questions, you should then offer up some information of your own based on his or her responses to your topics.’

Did you notice where you start talking about you? Not until after the third question.

Try it today and every day. Make it a habit.

Let me know if you want to learn more about this.