Small talk can be a way to pass the time and to convey to your manager that you have knowledge on the job you’re doing. It’s also a way to make the work environment more bearable, considering they are always present. It’s also a means to making your manager like and respect you.
Showing them that you have passion for what you are doing. If you can make small talk about your job, it shows that you care about what you do. It also shows that you are willing to step out of your bounds to talk with them.
This is a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of my readers, researchers, and website visitors. So much so that one of them were kind enough to share their own personal opinions. I don’t claim to be the best interviewer in the world, but I do promise some good, raw, and honest answers from normal people like you and me. I do my best to NOT filter these answers, except for the bad words and hateful speech.
With that little blurb out of the way, let’s dive right into the juicy bits of (potentially) life-changing insights.
Current Topic: Small Talk With Micromanagers
‘R’ = Richard N. Stephenson (me!)
‘I’ = Interviewee (anonymous by request unless otherwise noted)
R: What do you think is the most important thing about this topic?
I: You know what is going on with their personal life so you can recall important life events like birthdays or anniversaries. It brings a more personal relationship between the two of them which often benefits the employee.Mangers will often thing about you for important projects or promotions.
R: How could this subject help you or someone you know change your life for the better?
I: Small talk with micromanagers could change life in both good and bad ways! An example of how small talk with a micromanager could be damaging is the person takes information you give them and scrutinize it or then allow it to change their opinion of you or your work ethic. It could also become frustrating if the micromanager constantly asks you if you have changed the behavior. A way it could be good is that they may take something you talk to them about and analyze it in a way you never thought about. They may give you brainstorming ideas that are very helpful in your solution search.
R: Tell me about your thoughts on how this helps folks be better in life?
I: If you are unsure about how to handle a situation, ask a micromanager. You will get lots of advice and lots of solutions. Micromanagers are often logical and linear thinking, so for a person who has a hard time staying focused, taking advice from a micromanager could improve you to be the best person you can be.
R: At the end of the day, who would you pick to be the best at doing what matters most regarding this topic?
I: A person who stays away from touchy things like work inefficiency or politics or religion. Someone who talks about the weather, asks the other person about any interesting activity they may be doing. A person who listens, more than they speak.
R: Provide us with an example of what kind of person is better of never talking about this subject ever again.
I: A stubborn person might not like talking to a micromanager. Feeling like someone is controlling you when you have your mind set on how you want to do something can be stressful. If you’re not looking to change the way you do things, talking to a micromanager will not be helpful.
R: Start planning for tomorrow by letting us know how this topic could be more present in your daily life.
I: I wouldn’t be delighted about it, but I would make time to have small talk when passing them in the halls. Everyone I know who micromanages thinks they are among the most important people in the world, and I think taking the time to stop and chat with them makes them think they are worth your time. I would keep the conversation very light and shallow, nothing that could be offensive or too thought-provoking.
R: When do you think new folks should get into this topic?
I: When I am completing a task that does not require much thought. If I am doing a task that requires much thinking I then will wait until there is down time, yet I will still be seeking out other tasks to do. Otherwise, before or after work.
R: Are there any times when you think it is a bad idea to bring this topic into our lives?
I: When your manager is busy with something else. If they are busy then you should focus on completing your tasks. Once they are not busy, and when you are not busy, then it’s an appropriate time to talk.
R: Is there at least one place you can think of that people should consider bringing this into their daily lives?
I: The best place to make small talk with micromanagers is at the water cooler or the cafeteria. It is always good to have a nice cup of coffee or snack as well. It helps keep things low key when everyone is on break.
R: Give an example of where folks should not be working on this subject.
I: With micromanaging comes constant weighing of what’s put into a task or situation versus what comes out. Micromanagers would pick at your small talk to find topics that they believe to be inappropriate. This could lead to job loss or at least a change in their perception of the “micromanage”.
R: What kind of person would benefit from looking into this subject further?
I: Obviously their bosses. The reason is that if bosses were personable. Then people would more apt to talk to their bosses and understand things much easier. Then the bosses would be able to truly know what his employees priorities are.
R: If you could only give one piece of advice for this folks out there, what would it be?
I: Do your best to avoid addressing their micromanaging. I’ve done this before and It nearly cost me my job. Stick to general topics, either work related or not.
R: Please, let us know what you think is the biggest problem related to this topic?
I: Avoid talking about things that they could possibly fix or control, or that has any effect on them at all. Don’t talk about inefficiencies at work, or perhaps something they would not approve off. This is definitely something that would get micromanaging types into control mode, needing to interfere.
R: How would you describe a practical step we could take today to get more done on this topic?
I: Small talk with managers can be a meaningful way of bringing attention to unnecessary management practices. One may use small talk to examine why the manager feels the need to have such a control over the workers in their area. For example, one may approach a manager and ask a simple question such as, “explain to me how you would perform this task so I may do it better.” After such a question, the manager may feel that the need to manager no longer exists.
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Thank you for reading this personal journey into becoming a better person and having a better future ahead of you. I hope you enjoyed this interview conversation and found golden nuggets you can immediately apply to your daily life.
If you’re interested in discovering how to use small talk to succeed at work, transform your introversion into a useful skill, and handle those annoying coworkers, then check out Just Say Something!.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or personal life-changing wisdom below.