Alarice's Authentic Journeys

This week it felt like every meeting or conversation I had we mentioned the weather. For context it did rain every weekend for a straight 17 weeks, it was quite cold last week and then we had a heat wave this past week, followed by cold again. I am wearing a light sweatshirt as I type this blog here at the end of June. It’s quite unusual weather patterns, indeed.

So, why do we always talk about the weather?

Well, if you think about it, it’s a great equalizer, it’s relatable because it affects everyone no matter who you are. It’s definitely a safe and an easy way to start a conversation. It’s a great icebreaker when you are talking to someone new. It can give you a glimpse into their mood, or it can be a pathway for them to open up and share something more personal about themselves. For example, in one conversation, when we discussed the heat wave, one of the people mentioned how they live by the beach and then the other person talked about how they would love to have a home on Marco Island. By talking about the weather, we caught a glimpse into their interests and preferences.

If you are looking for some other conversation starters, look no further. Here are six to use in a business setting.

1. How are you settling into the new role/company? If they are new to the company, or new to their role, this question will give you a sense of whether they are feeling excited or overwhelmed.
2. What was your favorite takeaway from that seminar? If you are at an event or seminar, this allows you to engage them by learning what they found interesting.
3. I know this is a busy time for you, how are you holding up? If you sense someone is not fully engaged, this is a good one to ask. I find that asking this question often helps the other person let their guard down if it has been busy for them. This would be great to follow up with how you could be helpful to them during this busy time. They may not take you up on it, but they will be grateful and remember that you were kind enough to offer.
4. What are your plans for the holiday? If you are leading up to a holiday or long weekend, this is a great way to engage them on a personal level.
5. What are your summer plans? Leading up to summertime, people often take their summer vacations. This will give you a glimpse into what their hobbies and passions are. I recently asked this question, and it just so happened the person went to a similar place I did a year ago. We were able to connect based on that.
6. What was the highlight of your week? I like asking this because it allows for someone to reflect on their week. We don’t often take the time to stop, pause and reflect on our successes.

Always, remember to ask open ended questions, as they have to explain rather than just saying yes or no.

I would love to know what some of your favorite conversation starters are. Feel free to comment and share them in the comments.