Small talk is more than just a few polite words—especially in a global company like AMC Bridge, where remote, cross-cultural teams and international clients. We spoke with Volodymyr Moiseienko, a Delivery Manager at AMC Bridge, about his experiences and why small talk—when done right—can make all the difference. How much small talk is too much? What topics should you avoid? How to make small talk feel natural? Read on to find out how small talk can help build genuine connections, avoid awkward moments, and transition smoothly into productive conversations.

It’s not about wasting time—it’s about building connections

I’ve been working at AMC Bridge since 2012—so it’s going on nearly thirteen years. Over that time, my role has shifted from various positions to becoming a manager in 2018, and along the way, I’ve participated in countless meetings. On average, I spend about ten hours a week in meetings—team discussions, client calls, internal check-ins, you name it, and most of them involve at least a bit of chit-chat or small talk.

Personally, I’ve noticed that small talk can serve as a useful tool, especially when you’re meeting new people, introducing team members for the first time, or simply trying to ease into a conversation with clients who might be from different cultures. For instance, when we first connect with an American client, it’s common for them to start with a friendly “How are you?” This greeting might seem superficial at times—especially if they’re not looking for a deep answer—but in a business setting, it helps break the ice. It signals that they’re open to friendly chatter before diving into work details.

See a person and not just a co-worker on the screen

Of course, small talk can go in different directions. Sometimes it’s as simple as “How’s the weather over there?” Other times, it might become a little more personal, like when someone mentions their daughter is applying to university, or someone’s dog suddenly appears on camera and steals the show. I’ve actually had moments during meetings where my own dog would pop into the frame. It’s casual, but it helps people see you as, well, a person—not just a co-worker on a screen. That, to me, is when small talk is at its most valuable: when it fosters genuine human connection.

Small talk can also bring a team closer. I remember an internal routine we used to have: a two-hour or three-hour session with breaks. During those breaks, people would actually take a minute to chat, grab a coffee, and talk about non-work stuff. In a long session, that breather can really help. It’s like a quick reset before diving back into the serious topics.

How much small talk is too much?

I see effective small talk as being genuine and purposeful. It’s not about gossiping or wasting time; it’s about taking a moment to recognize the human behind the role. If you’re truly listening and showing respect—while keeping it brief and relevant—then you’re doing it right. Idle chatter, on the other hand, tends to linger too long and rarely benefits anyone. It can come across as distractive or superficial, especially if it happens at the wrong time (like in the middle of a critical discussion). A quick 2-minute exchange before a meeting is great; a 20-minute tangent that derails a discussion isn’t.

Some folks just want to get right into the technical details or project status updates. And if there’s a dire situation—like budgets overshooting or deadlines looming—it might be best to skip the pleasantries. In those cases, the best “small talk” is a quick question—“How’s everyone holding up?”—to gauge the mood, then dive straight into problem-solving. That said, I believe small talk does a lot for team spirit. It can turn a group of coworkers into friends. I’ve seen it happen during team buildings, informal coffee breaks. Those are the moments when you learn someone has a new hobby or just got back from an amazing vacation.

Strategies for better small talk

I once knew a delivery manager who had this nifty habit of writing down little personal details he picked up in meetings—like if someone mentioned they were planning a ski trip. At the next meeting, he’d follow up on that. It showed genuine interest, not that cookie-cutter, “How’s it going?” It made people feel heard.

Personally, I try to keep it simple—ask about the weekend, a hobby, or an interesting article someone shared. The idea is to invite conversation, not force it. If the other person seems receptive, great! If they look uncomfortable, I shift gears. Also, in massive calls with ten or twenty people, I’ll mostly skip it or keep it super short. It might not be enough time for everybody to share, and if only a couple of people get to say something, others might feel excluded or lose attention.

During performance reviews with my team, I like to slip in some friendly questions, too: “Any plans for holidays soon?” or “How are you feeling about your workload?” If someone’s open, we can chat a bit. If not, that’s fine. We move on.

Not a fan of small talk?

If you’re not a fan of initiating small talk, that’s completely fine. Instead of forcing conversations, look for natural moments—reacting to something in a group chat, commenting on someone’s background in a video call, or even just agreeing with something funny someone else said. Asking simple, open-ended questions like “What’s everyone working on today?” can be an easy way to engage without feeling forced.

Tips and Examples

1. Start with Safe, Universal Topics

• Weather: It’s a cliché, but it works. For instance, “Hey, we’ve had nonstop rain here in the last few days. What’s the weather like on your side?” gives others an easy way to jump in.
• Weekends or Holidays: People often enjoy talking about plans or sharing what they did last weekend. “Did you do anything fun over the weekend?” or “Any upcoming holiday plans?”
• Sports: “Are you following [sporting event or team]?” or “Do you play any sports or do something active for fun?”
• Travel: “If you could visit anywhere right now, where would you go?” or “Have you taken any fun trips lately?”
• Entertainment (Movies, TV, Books): “Have you watched anything good lately?” or “I just started reading [book title]—have you read it?”

2. Show Genuine Interest

• Ask Follow-Up Questions: If someone mentions they have a dog, ask about the dog’s breed or name. If they mention a vacation, ask what they enjoyed the most.
• Remember Small Details: Write down quick notes if it helps you remember personal tidbits—like someone’s favorite sports team or a personal milestone—then bring it up in a later conversation.
  Example: “Last time you mentioned you were going to a conference. How was it?”

3. Keep It Brief and Know When to Skip It

• Read the Room: If the main topic is urgent or the time is tight, stick to a quick greeting and get to business.
• High-Stress or Crisis Situations: If the meeting is urgent, keep small talk to a minimum.
• Large Group Calls: If too many people are on the line, a quick greeting might suffice before diving in.
  Example: “Hope everyone’s having a good day. Let’s dive right into the agenda to make the most of our time.”

4. Leverage Personal Hobbies or Interests

• Invite People to Share: If you have a hobby, bring it up casually and see if anyone else shares the same interest.
• Be Attentive to Others: If a colleague mentions they like hiking, you can talk about local trails or gear recommendations next time.
  Example: “Last time you mentioned you joined a band and started rehearsing. How’s that going?”

5. Use Humor Wisely

• Keep It Light: A quick, friendly joke or a playful anecdote can relax people, but avoid sarcasm if you’re uncertain it will land well.
• Stay Inclusive: Make sure your humor doesn’t alienate or offend others.
• Ask Yourself: “Will this topic or joke translate well?” When in doubt, keep it simple and professional. Remember it is important to be self-deprecating and humble.
  Example: “I nearly walked into my video call with my cat in my arms—she likes to join meetings! Anyone else working with a furry co-pilot?”

6. Transition Smoothly to Work Topics

• Wrap Up Nicely: After a brief bit of small talk, guide the conversation toward the main agenda.
• Signal the Shift: A line like “Well, that’s enough stories from me—shall we check the project timeline?” can keep things friendly and focused.
  Example: “That’s awesome you got to see that soccer match. Now, about the new feature deployment—should we review the timeline together?”

7. Handling Awkward Moments

• Acknowledge the Discomfort: If there’s a sudden silence or tension, a simple “Let’s refocus on our main topic” can help everyone move on.
• Shift Gently: If someone shares too much personal information, gently steer the conversation back to a neutral or work-related topic.
• Offer a Way Out: If you or someone else is stuck in an awkward moment, something like “Well, thanks for sharing—shall we check the next item on the agenda?” gives a polite exit.

8. Keep It Authentic

Be Yourself: Forced small talk is obvious. If you genuinely dislike certain topics, don’t feel obliged to pretend interest—steer to topics that come naturally to you.

• Respect Your Comfort Zone: You don’t have to engage in every conversation if it feels unnatural.
• Listen Actively: Even if you’re not talking much, showing you’re attentive can be enough to maintain a warm interaction.
• Stay True to Your Style: People appreciate sincerity more than forced friendliness.