stop making THIS mistake when talking to execs

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I’ve created multiple (free!) LinkedIn Learning courses to help you show up with more clarity and confidence at work. Each course is under 10 minutes. Here's the top 3:

🎤 How to Speak So Others Will Listen: Simple tips to be more clear, concise, and compelling—whether you’re presenting to execs or leading a team meeting.

🤝 Nano Tips for Better Collaboration: Small shifts that make a big difference in how you work with others.

📝 Nano Tips for Giving and Receiving Feedback: Learn how to give feedback that’s helpful (not hurtful) and receive feedback without getting defensive.

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Hi Reader,

You’ve probably had a version of this moment:

You’re the first to join the Zoom call.

Your exec’s face pops up.

And suddenly, it’s just the two of you. 😐

Or you bump into a senior leader at an offsite.

Or walk into the elevator together.

You know it’s a moment to connect, but your brain goes blank.

So you blurt out, “Busy day?” and hope the door opens soon.

I totally get it.

Small talk with executives can feel awkward—especially if you’re an introvert.

But these tiny moments? They’re huge opportunities.

And if you’re not ready, they pass by without you saying anything meaningful.

But if you are ready?

You can turn a casual exchange into a moment of connection.

Your Career Bite

Small talk isn’t about impressing someone.

It’s about making it easy for them to connect with you.

Here’s 3 easy ways to make small talk with execs:

1️⃣ When you’re in the office or on a Zoom call.

Execs want to understand your role and what you’re focused on. Give them an easy headline they can remember.

“I’m working on [project] with [team] and we just hit a cool milestone yesterday.”

“Right now I’m supporting [function] with [initiative]. It’s been a fun challenge.”

“I’m part of [manager’s] team. We’ve been deep in [priority topic] lately.”

2️⃣ When you’re at a social or casual event.

This is your chance to connect as humans. Ask open-ended questions and share a little bit about yourself too.

“Have you picked up any summer hobbies or travel plans?”

“I heard you’re into Formula 1. Have you been following the season?”

“My family just did a big road trip down the coast. Any favorite spots you’ve visited recently?”

3️⃣ When you’re in a quick moment (elevator, hallway, Zoom buffer).

This is perfect for a quick personal update or a casual ask.

“What was the highlight of your weekend?”

“I listened to a podcast on [industry topic] this morning. Reminded me of some of the conversations we’ve been having on [priority].”

“I appreciated what you said about [topic] at the all-hands the other day. It made me think of [connect it to your team goals].”

Your Next Action Step

You don’t need to be charming or witty to make a great impression...