5 Conversation Starters For Work Events

5 conversation starters for work events

You’re at a conference, a mixer, a networking event, whatever event your workplace has organized this season. And you’re sitting at a table, maybe with a name tag, a glass of ice water, and a free notepad and pen in front of you. And you’ve got one thing on your mind…who’s at my table and what on earth are we going to talk about?

Here are 5 conversations starters that don’t sound like conversation starters

Share a funny memory from the last time you were at one of these things. Nothing bonds people together like mutual disdain. Did someone get food poisoning from the cheap food? Was there a snoring member in the crowd? Did you miss the keynote because you got lost but weren’t mad about it? Share something funny and personal to break the ice without an ice breaker.Get the whole table involved. Ask a low-stakes question that doesn’t sound like trivia or an ice breaker. Maybe “How much money would I have to give you to pull the fire alarm right now?” and have everyone share their dollar amount and why. Or “Who would be the craziest most unlikely guest speaker to walk on stage right now?” Get people talking about trivial things that lighten the mood and make everyone laugh a little in what is likely a humorless environment. People will trust you and want to naturally share more with you as the day goes on.Be vulnerable. Share something you’re currently struggling with. Didn’t get much sleep? Haven’t made it to the bagel station yet? Forgot your luggage at the airport? Share something personal right up front and the other person will likely follow. Bonding over bad experiences or pain is surprisingly a great way to feel comfortable around someone quickly.Bring a gift. Bring extra water bottles or a few granola bars for the table. Maybe a few extra pens and just offer them up “in case anyone needs them”. A simple gesture like this will get a frozen table moving and give them something to talk about. At events like this, people are often just waiting for the chance to talk but don’t have a reason. Give them a reason.Ask for information. Ask where the bathrooms are. Or is the person knows anything about the speaker? Or maybe they’re wearing shoes from a brand you like and you want to ask how they like them. Let the other person share something they know with you. This makes them feel useful and makes you someone they immediately like. You asked them a question and then listened intently. The conversation should roll organically from there.