10 phrases to turn small talk into something real.
Here's how to connect deeper & build trust:
Creating psychologically safety at work starts with everyday conversations.
These sentences build the foundation for deep trust and personal connection.
Here's how to transform surface talk into meaningful connection 👇🏼
1. "I'd love to hear your perspective on this."
↳ Perfect during tough decisions when every voice matters
↳ Take notes in real time, send a recap with next steps
2. "Thank you for teaching me something new today."
↳ When someone shares something valuable
↳ Try their method in your next task, share results back
3. "What support do you need from me right now?"
↳ When you see someone drowning but aren't sure how to help
↳ Clear your next hour, solve one thing immediately
4. "I respect your expertise on this matter"
↳ During heated moments - acknowledge their experience
↳ Grab your notebook, write down their key points
5. "I made a mistake, and I want to make it right."
↳ The moment you mess up - own it fast, build trust
↳ Name the fix, set a deadline, do it now
6. "I noticed your great work on that project."
↳ Catch them doing something brilliant, say it immediately
↳ Send a quick email to their manager with a specific example
7. "How can I help you succeed?"
↳ In quiet moments when you want to show real care
↳ Set 3 specific support actions, schedule them today
8. "Your contribution made a real difference."
↳ When someone goes above - be specific about why
↳ Share one concrete metric or result right now
9. "I trust your judgment on this."
↳ Empower them, then actually let them run with it
↳ Delete that micromanaging email you drafted
10. "Let's find a solution together."
↳ When problems feel huge - create partnership
↳ Book a room, set a clear agenda, solve one piece
Anyone can do small talk.
Few can create real trust.
You get to choose which you build ✨
Which phrase would you most like to hear from someone?
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♻️ Repost to help your network build trust and meaningful connections
🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies that build real success - at work and at home