Making small talk during a business meeting

Small talk can help break the ice and build rapport during a business meeting. It builds trust and connection between people before discussing serious topics, making communication easier and more effective. For example, asking about the weather or someone’s day shows interest and respect, which can reduce nervousness and encourage teamwork. In professional settings, small talk also fills awkward silences and helps people feel more relaxed, so they can focus better on the meeting. Overall, it’s a simple way to improve relationships and make conversations smoother.

Here are some ideas tailored to keep things light, professional, and engaging.

General small talk

1. Weather (classic starter)
   • Beautiful day, isn’t it? I’m hoping it holds up.” (Or conversely, “I’m glad we’re inside with this [weather description].”)
   • “Did you see the rain this morning?”
   • “Looks like spring is finally showing up—how’s the weather treating you lately?”
   • “The weather is very [hot/cold/nice] today.”
   • Keeps it neutral and relatable.
2. Free time or the weekend
   • “Did you do anything fun last weekend?”
   • “Do you have plans for the weekend?”
   • “How has your week been so far?”
3. Recent events or trends
   • “Did you catch that big industry conference last week? I heard some interesting takes on [topic].”
   • “Did you catch that [local sports team/event] this weekend?” (If you know they’re interested)
   • “How was your week?” (Keep it brief, and be prepared to share a quick positive highlight of your own)
   • Shows awareness without diving too deep.
4. Location/venue
   • “This is a nice meeting space, isn’t it?”
   • “Have you been to this [building/area] before?”
5. Work environment
   • “How’s your team settling into the new hybrid setup—or are you all still fully remote?”
   • Are you busy with projects these days?” or “Have you been to this office before?”
   • “How is your week going?”
   • Relevant to most professionals and opens the door for a response.
6. Travel or commute
   • “Did you have to come far for this meeting? I’m always curious how people manage the commute these days.”
   • “Did you have any trouble getting here this morning? The traffic was [describe].”
   • Easy to pivot based on their answer.
7. Food or coffee
   • “I’m surviving on coffee today—do you have a go-to spot around here?”
   • Casual and can lead to a quick exchange.
8. Hobbies or downtime
   • “Got any plans to unwind after this busy week? I’ve been trying to squeeze in some [hobby] myself.”
   • Personal but not intrusive.
9. Local observations
   • “I haven’t been to this part of town in a while—anything new popped up around here?”
   • Works if you’re meeting in person and ties into the setting.

Transitioning into the meeting

• Shared experience
  • “I know we’re all looking forward to discussing [meeting topic] today.”
  • “I was just reviewing the [related document/email] and…” (This smoothly leads into the meeting topic)
• Positive observation
  • “I was really impressed with [something positive about their recent work or a shared project].”
  • “It’s great to see everyone here today.”
• Relating to previous interactions
  • “It was great to connect at [previous event/meeting]. I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation.”
  • “Hi, nice to see you again! Did your project go well after our last meeting?”

During breaks

• General well-being
  • “How’s your coffee?”
  • “Are you finding everything alright?”
  • “Are you ready for the next part of the meeting?”
• Light, related observation (keep it light, generic)
  • “That last presentation was quite insightful.”
  • “That’s an interesting point that was raised.”

Things to avoid

• Controversial topics (politics, religion, etc.)
• Gossip or negative comments about others.
• Personal problems or complaints.
• Anything overly personal or invasive.
• Anything that could be construed as harassment.

Tips

• Be genuine: People can tell when you’re being insincere.
• Be mindful of cultural differences: What’s appropriate in one culture may not be in another.
• Be positive: A positive attitude can go a long way in building rapport.
• Follow their lead: If they seem eager to get started, respect that and move on to the meeting agenda.
• Keep it brief: Small talk should be short and sweet.
• Listen actively: Pay attention to their responses and ask follow-up questions.

What’s the vibe of your meeting—formal or more relaxed? You might tweak the approach you use.