The hybrid office is a disorienting experience. After feeling pressure from management to return, many white-collar workers who went remote during the pandemic are starting to pop into the office a few times a week. Even Zoom, a company specializing in remote work tools, nowOffice workers are coming back to absolute awkwardness. Video calls with just one-sixth of the meeting in the room. Offices stuck in. Slacks to coworkers sitting a few feet away.
While the topics are often quite boring , small talk between coworkers is crucial within the office structure. Instead of viewing it as a distraction, Tannen sees chitchat as a way to build worthwhile relationships between team members at work. It’s also a big factor when interacting with management. Who cares if you completed all your goals for this quarter? Remembering the name of your boss's dog can feel just as important when angling for a promotion.
Another way to improve your small talk is to become more observant of how your coworkers choose to communicate. “People have different conversational styles,” says Tannen. “How loud or soft? How close or distant do you stand? What’s your attitude toward interruption and overlap?” Observe your coworker’s conversational styles, think about how you’d like to be perceived during the conversation, and seek out opportunities to connect with others.