Is small talk in the business place still relevant?

Surveys show that small talk might soon become a thing of the past. At the click of a button, social media, and the access to any number of friends is replacing the need to converse with strangers and colleagues in the office place. Especially in the wake of covid where communication with colleagues was limited to online platforms, is there still a place for small talk still? Why do we need to be able to engage in office ‘chitchat’?

Small talk in the business place refers to casual conversation or chitchat that occurs in professional settings, often before or after formal meetings, during breaks, at corporate dinners, or at social gatherings. It serves various purposes, including building rapport, establishing relationships, showing empathy, and fostering a positive work environment.

Why do we find small talk in the business place so difficult?

Small talk often involves discussing personal or non-work-related topics, which can feel awkward or uncomfortable when you're not familiar with your colleagues on a personal level. If cultural differences are added to the mix, chitchat can even be more awkward as socially acceptable norms vary across cultures. Being aware that this can cause misunderstandings or discomfort when engaging in small talk with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds, can lead us to avoid it altogether.

Work environments are often highly task-oriented and there is limited time for informal interactions. The trade-off of investing effort into function vs relational matters is not deemed valuable so people may feel pressured to get straight to the point and discuss work-related matters which leaves little room for relational small talk. When language barriers are an added hurdle, colleagues may not even want to attempt small talk as it can be even more time consuming. 

Additionally, fear is a natural and strong motivator. The fear of saying the wrong thing can dissuade many people. Small talk requires no small amount of empathy, quick thinking, and the ability to navigate various topics gracefully. 

The difficulty of small talk in the business arena is often the product of a combination of social, cultural, and individual factors. However, with practice and patience, it can become a fun and rewarding activity over time.