A three-step small talk formula: pick a neutral topic like weather, ask a preference question that gives a choice, then relate to their answer with something personal. The speaker says you can move from small talk to genuine connection in 10 to 15 seconds.
Here's a small talk formula that'll work every time. Number 1: Pick a topic. It can be about the weather, it could be about their clothes, really it could be anything. Ideally you want it to be interesting, but it doesn't have to be. Number 2: Follow it up with a question of preference. For example, let's assume you said, "Hey, beautiful weather we're having today," and they said, "Yeah, it really is." You'd follow it up with something like, "So are you a summer person or a fall person?" Or maybe you said something about their coffee and you said, "Are you like an early bird or a night owl?" You're giving them an option. People love to have options. And number 3: Relate to them. It doesn't matter what option they chose. Let's assume in the weather question they said, you know, I really like fall. You could say, I'm with you, I'm team fall all the way. I love the weather, makes me think of my family and football. What about you? And now just in that 10-15 seconds, instead of dropping the conversation like you could have done, you've now made complete connection with that person. So try that and follow me.
