Start Conversations With Ease
It’s the end of 2024… somehow! The end of the year and holiday season often brings a variety of work parties and social events, creating valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues, expand your professional network, and just get a chance to unwind, relax, and have fun. However, for many, these events can feel intimidating or overwhelming, especially when you are unsure of how to navigate conversations and make meaningful connections. As speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at Well Said, we understand the complexities of communication in social settings. Below are actionable tips to help you navigate these holiday events with ease, confidence, and success. This blog post was inspired by a recent session I had with a client who wanted to spend a session figuring out how to best navigate an upcoming holiday work party they were attending the following week. Many of the tips used for general networking were easily applicable to the annual holiday party, which in some instances may be the only chance you get to interact with colleagues in a different context and manner.
Starting a Conversation
Starting a conversation doesn’t have to be daunting. A simple comment or question about the event can serve as an excellent icebreaker. Examples include:
“How are you enjoying the food?”
“What do you think of the venue?”
“What’s been the highlight of your week?”
“How’s your end of year shaping up?”
“Any exciting travel plans for the holidays?”
Having a few go-to conversation starters in mind can make it easier to jump into discussion and reduce anxiety. Keep some safe topics in mind: work (in moderation), travel plans, holiday plans, New Year’s plans, family plans, etc.
Mastering Nonverbal Communication
Body language plays a significant role in how others perceive you at networking events. Open body language—keeping your arms relaxed and maintaining eye contact—signals that you’re approachable and interested. Avoid crossing arms or looking down, as these gestures appear defensive or uninterested. Practice maintaining an open posture and making eye contact while standing or walking around. Put your smartphone on silent or do not disturb, and avoid sitting in a corner reading emails or scrolling social media, as this sends a message that you are not interested in interacting with others.
Set a Purpose
Before attending any event, reflect on why you are going. Do you want to meet new people, reconnect with colleagues, or gather information about potential career opportunities? Maybe you just want to have fun! Having a clear purpose helps you stay focused and approach conversations with intention. Set specific, achievable goals, such as introducing yourself to three new people or learning something interesting about two colleagues. In our session we landed on the purpose: get to know 1-3 people you don’t know well and learn 1-3 new things about each. This goal is realistic and quantifiable, meaning you can measure success post-event.
Read the Room
Before diving into a conversation, observe the social dynamics. Look for relaxed groups open to new participants. If unsure, approach someone standing alone. Be brave, generous, and kind. Pay attention to nonverbal cues of others, such as body language and facial expressions, to gauge if they’re open to conversation or if it’s better to wait for a more natural opportunity.
Perfect Your Handshake
A handshake is often your first physical interaction with someone, making it crucial to get it right. Avoid limp or overly aggressive handshakes. Pair your handshake with a warm smile and steady eye contact to emphasize approachability. During flu or COVID season, consider replacing handshakes with a friendly smile and warm hello.
Leverage Connections
If you know someone attending who is well-connected, ask them to introduce you to new people. Be prepared with a brief, engaging introduction of yourself, highlighting your role and an interesting fact about your work or personal interests. Use colleagues you know to access those you do not. If you see someone you know talking to someone you don’t, join that conversation—you already have an in!
Ask Engaging Questions
Ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation flowing and show genuine interest. Examples:
“What has been the highlight of your career this year?”
“What’s the most exciting project you’re working on?”
“How do you usually celebrate the holidays?”
Listen actively and ask follow-up questions. Be genuine and find human connection.
Expand Your Network
Networking events are a great chance to meet new people, but it’s easy to stay within your comfort zone and stick with familiar colleagues. Challenge yourself to branch out by sitting next to someone new during meals, joining different groups, or approaching individuals who seem open to conversation. Switch spots in the middle of the meal, if possible! My client noted that during past event, the more “social” colleagues would switch around to different spots, meaning they were able to meet and talk and catch up with more people during the sit-down dinner portion of the event. Practice introducing yourself to people you don’t know. A simple, “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m [Your Name],” is a great way to start a conversation with a stranger.
Share Thoughtfully
Networking isn’t about handing out as many business cards as possible or meeting as many people as you can no matter how engaged you were in each interaction. Instead, it’s about building meaningful connections. Think quality over quantity. Share your contact information only when it feels appropriate, such as after having a substantive conversation.
When exchanging contact details, briefly recap your conversation to reinforce the connection. For example, “It was great learning about your work doing [insert department/field of work]. Let’s stay in touch!”
Give Generously
The best way to approach networking is with a mindset of generosity. Offer help, share resources, or introduce others without expecting anything in return. Genuine acts of kindness often lead to long-lasting and meaningful relationships. All of this can strengthen your relationships with colleagues that can lead to a healthier and happier workplace. Reflect on your own strengths and consider how you might be able to support others, whether through advice, recommendations, or simply being a good listener. Remember: Networking is a two-way street. Be a facilitator too! If you are in a conversation you can pull in another person you know (or don’t) to join the conversation.
But What If I Run Out of Topics of Conversation?
This was one concern my client had. They openly wondered what to do if they ran out of conversation topics. The fact is: everyone is responsible to keep the conversation going, it is not all on you. If you run out of topics, someone else will offer a topic. You do not always have to be steering the ship (the conversation). We all share that responsibility.
Social conversation is not based on an agenda. It is fluid and flexible. Adaptability and flexibility are important. It’s impossible to fully plan out social conversations in advance. Another thought we landed upon is that it may be good to include someone you know is active socially who you know will keep things going. Someone with a lot of natural charisma who just seems to keep things flowing (but don’t shy away and over-rely on them!).
Conclusion
Holiday work parties present opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate with colleagues. By setting clear intentions, honing communication skills, and embracing a generous mindset, you can navigate events with confidence. Networking is about creating authentic relationships that enrich professional and personal life. Remember, nobody is actively analyzing your conversation skills—relax, have fun, and enjoy the connections the holiday season brings.
