I am a man who is very involved in my convictions. My political and spiritual beliefs are very important to me so I have had to learn to keep them in their place.
When interacting with other business professionals, clients or customers it is important to keep politics, religion, war, and any other touchy life convictions out of your small talk. Small talk is important but raising these subjects can lead to assumptions, arguments, and lost relationships and profits. The world of business is not the place to discuss and debate these subjects.
Instead here are a few really easy things that will break the ice without completely melting it.
Sports. Though there is still much room for debate in sports it is more friendly and in most cases you are dealing with people in your region with similar sports teams.
Weather. It is always an easy subject when speaking in person and can fill the needed time very well because you will not get into much detail like with other topics so getting down to business is not difficult to transistion.
Business. If you are speaking to others in the business profession you have an easy in with this common interest. You are all in business so it is a well flowing topic.
Current Events. This one is tricky because it is hard not to sway into politics and religion but keeping it within the facts about big things happening around the world is good to show that you keep up with the times.
Dining. Great food is something almost everybody can get behind. Recommending a good restaurant can really impact the person’s perception of you.
Cars. Who doesn’t love cars? Men and women in the professional world have a lot to say about motor vehicles so it is a common interest for nearly all. Make sure you don’t sway into alternative fuels and oil companies though. That would be a no no.
World Travel. Speaking of great places to go shows you are cultured and interesting. Also you would be surprised how often others you are speaking to have been in the same places you have been. It’s a small world after all.
Anything else without beliefs. The key is to keep it off the subject of belief that can lead to argument or assumption. Keep it light and fresh. Business talks are not the place to debate or evangelize what you believe.
