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The Completely Audacious Guide to Breaking the Ice
Use this set of easy no-fail conversation starters to build relationships with new friends and colleagues, anywhere, in any situation
Growing up, I had a severe speech impediment. I had an especially hard time with words that began with the letter “m.”
My name is Michael. As you might imagine, I was terrified of meeting new people.
I got over it by taking a sales job. Although I was nervous (and it showed) for the first few months, forcing myself to test ways of starting conversations improved my confidence and boosted my career.
You might not have grown up stuttering. Still, like me, you might struggle to find the right words. The following guide gives you specific conversation starters that I’ve found successful. Use them to quickly build more successful relationships with everyone you meet.
To kick things off, we are going to start with conversation starters in professional settings and then move on to social ones.
Conversation Starters in Professional Settings
When I first researched ways to better connect with others at work, I advised leading with a question like “Describe your perfect day.” However, after the first person that I asked looked me up and down and replied, “Alone,” I realized that going straight in with a bold question may not be the best way.
After many trials, and even more errors, I discovered the power of leading with the following type of opener:
“Sorry to interrupt. Over the last few weeks, I have been asking everyone I meet their opinion regarding this one question…”
Throughout this guide, there are a handful of bullet-proof icebreakers that you can use to lead with.
This works especially well in professional settings, as it cushions your introduction in an engaging and memorable way. Everyone likes to be asked their opinion, and chances are you’ll learn something interesting about the person, too.
Now for some specifics.
