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Work Life Integration Expert | Wellness Advocate | Mom of 4 l Forever Student | Follow for evidence-backed tips to thrive in business & life 🌿

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? -- ♻️ 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

Karl Klausewitz

Author, Podcaster & Life Coach | Helping You Break Through & Reach Your Potential | Schedule a Consultation Call Now👇

1mo

Building trust and meaningful connections is crucial in any workplace. One phrase that I would love to hear from someone is "I appreciate your hard work and dedication." It's always nice to feel recognized and valued for the effort put into a project or task.

Veronika Khalaim

🎖Certified IT SW Program Manager |🏆 Project Office Lead @Luxoft DXC for Mercedes-Benz 🚗 |👥 Mentor | 🚀 Agile Project / Program Management 🔥 Agile Leadership 🏅 Risks Mitigation and Problems Solving Top Expert

1mo

These phrases are gold for building genuine relationships and trust at work. 🌟 They show how intentional communication can transform routine interactions into opportunities for connection and collaboration. I particularly love "What support do you need from me right now?" — it's such a powerful way to step up without making assumptions. Pairing that with phrases like "I trust your judgment on this" builds not only trust but also empowers others to take ownership confidently. Small changes in how we communicate can truly redefine team dynamics. 

Shelly O'Donovan

LinkedIn Top Voice 💎 | Partnering with Leaders to Create Seamless Team Communication & Quickly Increase Productivity Using my Proprietary Tactical Performance Strategy™ | Wharton Lecturer | AI Human Behavior Consulting

1mo

‘I made a mistake, and I want to make it right’ is a bold one—how many of us are brave enough to own it so quickly?

Heather Park

Accounting, Advisory, & CFO Solutions for Mental Health Practices | Schedule a Free Consultation

1mo

This is such a powerful list, Carolyn! As a business owner working closely with mental health professionals, trust and meaningful connections are at the heart of what we do—both in our practices and our relationships with clients. One phrase that stands out to me is: "I trust your judgment on this." Empowering someone to take the lead is not just about delegation—it's about truly recognizing their strengths and supporting their growth. Thank you for sharing these actionable phrases. They’re a great reminder that even small words can have a big impact on building trust and connection. Which of these phrases do you find resonates the most with your day-to-day conversations? I'd love to hear!

Sara Junio

Leading Transformations and Positioning Organizations for Future Success | Transformation Executive and Strategic Leadership Coach | Best Selling Author

1mo

Acknowledging someone's hard work and commitment can boost their morale and motivate them to continue performing well.

Gary (Guru) Raman MIEAust, M.AIRAH CPEng NER

Pre-Construction Manager_Building Services | Avidly interested in Human Dynamics & Psychology | Helping People to Ace the 4Bs of Connections | Aspiring Author & Speaker

1mo

Excellent. Making meaningful relationships makes our life meaningful…

Ivana Vucenovic

Enterprise Transformation Coach | Conscious Leadership Coach | Organizational Transformation Consultant | Project & Program Management Specialist

1mo

Great post! These phrases are powerful but they only work when backed by genuine intent, presence, and energy. It’s not just “what” someone says—it’s “how” they show up. When your words, actions, and energy align authentically, people feel it, and trust is built.

Ana Smith

I empower leaders to transform overwhelm and uncertainty, into clarity, resilience, and professional/personal success | Speaker | Author | 2x TEDx Speaker | Executive Coaching

1mo

Dr. Carolyn Frost, love this post! These phrases are like keys that unlock deeper, more meaningful connections at work. 💡 The emphasis on trust, vulnerability, and genuine care is exactly what builds psychological safety and high-performing teams. For me, 'What support do you need from me right now?' stands out—it’s such a powerful way to show empathy and immediately shift into action mode. It signals I see you, I value you, and I’m here to help. Imagine the ripple effect if more leaders used these phrases intentionally. Trust isn’t built in grand gestures; it’s in these small, authentic moments!

Trevor Smith (MBA)

Global Leadership Development Specialist | 20+ Years Designing High-Impact Learning Programs Across 26 Countries | Business Goals Focused Approach | High Performance Coach

1mo

Meaningful relationships will be a differentiation in the very near AI driven future. Embrace technology but don't overlook the importance of the human touch

Jill Avey

Helping Women Leaders Jump Into Senior Management in 12 Months 💠  ICF PCC Level | Follow for daily tips about the leadership skills you need to rise

1mo

Number 2!!!! Can you imagine hearing that from someone? Especially at work, this could make someone feel like a million bucks Dr. Carolyn Frost

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