Building Rapport & Small Talk
You're waiting for a meeting to start with a new colleague, Alex. You heard they recently moved here. What do you say?
Hi Alex, I'm [Student's Name]. Is this your first time working in this office? Where exactly are you from originally?
Your colleague's online profile is very short. Give them a suggestion.
Why don't you add some examples of your projects? It would make your profile stronger.
In a meeting, you need to interrupt to clarify a point.
Sorry to interrupt, but could you clarify the budget for this?
Your boss asks: "What's happening with the website redesign?"
Yesterday I finished the design mock-ups. Today I'm discussing them with the marketing team. The only impediment is waiting for their feedback.
Compare two software options: one is cheaper but slower.
Option A is cheaper than Option B, but Option B is much faster. The faster option is better for our deadline.
At a networking event, someone mentions they love hiking. You do too.
Oh, you like hiking? What did you like best about your last trip? I went to the mountains last month.
A junior team member is stressed about an upcoming presentation.
You could practice with me first. How about we meet for 15 minutes later?
Someone interrupts you while you're explaining. You need to finish your point.
If I could just finish my point... So, as I was saying, the main risk is timing.
Give a quick update on a task that is on track.
The report is in progress. I expect to complete it by 5 PM. I don't see any impediments.
In a negotiation, the other side won't move on the price.
I understand your position, but I'm afraid I can't compromise on this budget. There's no flexibility, I'm afraid.
A client mentions they used to work in Tokyo.
Really? How long were you in Japan for? I visited a few years ago.
Your boss asks you to finish a report by tomorrow, but you have another urgent task.
I can certainly do that. The trouble is that I'm working on the quarterly data. Could I deliver the report by Friday instead?
You interrupt, but then want to give the floor back.
What did you want to say, Maria? Please go ahead.
Give an update on a task that has a problem.
We've had a setback with the supplier. So we need to come up with a new plan. I'm anticipating a one-week delay.
Argue why your project idea is the best.
My proposal is the most realistic because it has the lowest risk. It's not as exciting as the others, but it's more dependable.
You're on a video call with a new team member in another country. It's 9 AM for you, but you see it's dark outside their window.
Good morning! I see it's evening there. Where are you dialing in from today?
Someone suggests having a meeting at 8 AM. You think 9 AM is better.
9 AM could work better for me. What do you think?
The discussion has gone off-topic. You need to bring it back.
Going back to what I was saying about the schedule, we need to set the milestones.
In a stand-up meeting, state what you did and will do.
Yesterday I worked on the client proposal. Today I will work on the financial data. All good.
A client asks for an impossible deadline. Refuse politely.
I would like to help you, but I can't. That deadline would put a real strain on the team. My hands are tied.
A colleague says they just finished a big, difficult project.
That sounds intense. What was the biggest challenge? I'm glad it's done for you!
You need to tell a supplier their delivery is late and you need a new deadline.
You need to meet a new deadline. Can you bring the delivery forward to Thursday?
You want to prevent an interruption because you have one final, crucial point.
Before you speak, let me just say one very important thing about the contract.
Explain a delay using project management vocabulary.
We missed a key milestone because of a risk we didn't predict. We're now doing risk management for the next phase.
Suggest a compromise after a disagreement.
So it seems to me we have two problems here: your deadline and our capacity. That could work if we deliver half now and half next week. Looks like this could be a win for both of us.