Just Say Something!

Tired of being just another cog in the machine at work? Too shy or lacking confidence to talk to the boss (or the new intern )?

It's time for a change. It's time for you to regain control of your future and career development... through Small Talk at work.

Become skilled at the fine art of "Just Say Something " and you'll be well on your way to succeeding at work, empowering your introverted tendencies, and handling annoying coworkers.

This book is about overcoming the fear of using small talk as a useful communication tool for greater success in life, careers, and professional relationships. You deserve more, right?

Here's how Just Say Something can help you: Increase your visibility and professional image Overcome shyness and regain confidence Avoid all-too-common networking mistakes Define your professional objectives and save time Avoid people who waste your time and life Build rapport with everyone you meet

== Table of Contents ========== Ch. 1: The Dreaded Awkward Silence
Ch. 2: Why Is Small Talk So Hard For Introverts?
Ch. 3: Small Talk Tips and Scenarios
An Infinite Topic Bank General Topics Personal Topics Avoid These Topics Forever The Right Environment Ch. 4: Rules For Successful Small Talk
Transformational Listening Focused Timing and Frequency Conversational Rhythm Ultimate Personal Respect Masterful Record-Keeping Ch. 5: Assertive Small Talk Strategy
Technicians Subject Matter Experts Middle Management Executive Management Vendors Customers and Clients Ch. 6: Defensive Small Talk Strategies
Gossipers Chatty Chris's Micromanagers Know It Alls Ch. 7: Let The Small Talk Begin
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Small talk may seem like space-filler, or a waste of time to many, but it isn't You watch your grandmother and grandfather kibitz about the weather for hours without any real purpose to their conversation, and yet, you have been watching them do this for what feels like a century.

How is this important to the human race? Something magical happens through small talk that can't be duplicated through any other form of social communication.

Small talk stimulates our base human reactions to other human beings, and allows us to figure out our environment, the culture, social mores or guidelines, and our standing in the social hierarchy. Through its definition, this is no-pressure conversation.

It lacks formality and requirements, and therefore alleviates any conventionalism from the speaker, creating a calm atmosphere in which to communicate. When we relax, we tend to reveal a lot more about ourselves and our personality by letting our guard down.

Imagine cavemen grunting back and forth to each other in pursuit of figuring out who is top dog. We still function this way today through small talk. By sparking up conversation, we are truly feeling out who the people are in the room. In general, people will begin to fill roles that are comfortable and expose their true personality.

This guy is the class clown, that lady is the political activist, and that other guy is the silent type. We begin to fill these roles and create an environment that is charged positively or negatively depending on the combination of personalities that contribute to the small talk. In general, small talk provides the forum in which to understand our environment and the people within it.