Join award-winning journalist Pilita Clark and political analyst Stephen Bush as they delve into the art of schmoozing and networking. They discuss key strategies for engaging in small talk within diplomatic circles and highlight the importance of authentic connections in politics and journalism. Learn how to gracefully exit conversations, balancing personal disclosures with professional etiquette. Their insights remind us that even the best networkers face challenges, making these tips invaluable for anyone looking to enhance their professional interactions.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Preparation
Prepare for conversations by thinking about relevant topics.
Being audience-focused helps, especially when nervous.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Diplomatic Small Talk
Avoid sensitive topics like a company's internal struggles or a country's politics.
Instead, discuss shared interests or the host country's affairs.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Elite Schmoozing
Pilita Clark found that even elite schmoozers prepare beforehand.
They research attendees and topics, strategizing how to draw people out.
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In 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter', Matt Abrahams offers tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious speakers succeed in spontaneous communication. The book provides strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable. Drawing on stories from his clients and students, Abrahams offers best practices for navigating Q&A sessions, job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others, and handling other impromptu speaking tasks.
This week's episode of Working It – the last of the year – is a repeat of one of our favourite episodes. It features a masterclass in chit-chat from Matt Abrahams, a lecturer in communications at Stanford University, podcast host, and author of the since published book Think Faster, Talk Smarter.Good conversation is an essential tool of self-promotion in the office. So what do we make of Matt’s advice here at the FT office? Host Isabel Berwick gets the views of award-winning FT columnist Pilita Clark and Stephen Bush, who writes the FT’s daily Inside Politics newsletter.
FT subscriber? Sign up for the weekly Working It newsletter with one click here. We cover all things workplace and management — plus exclusive reporting on trends, tips and what’s coming next.
Presented by Isabel Berwick. Produced by Laurence Knight and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa and the sound engineer is Simon Panayi.
Working It 
