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15 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 phrases build the foundation for real 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 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

5. “Could you help me understand how you approached this?”
↳ When someone’s work amazes you – learn their magic
↳ Screenshot their process, add to your workflow today

6. “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

7. “Let me know if you’d like to bounce ideas around.”
↳ When someone’s stuck but may not want to admit it
↳ Block 30min on your calendar right now for them

8. “I respect your expertise on this matter.”
↳ During heated moments – acknowledge their experience
↳ Grab your notebook, write down their key points

9. “How can I help you succeed?”
↳ In quiet moments when you want to show real care
↳ Set 3 specific support actions, schedule them today

10. “I appreciate you bringing that to my attention.”
↳ When someone risks giving you tough feedback
↳ Make one change right after the conversation

11. “What’s the best way to communicate with you?”
↳ First conversations – shows you care about their style
↳ Update their contact in your phone with preferences

12. “Your contribution made a real difference.”
↳ When someone goes above – be specific about why
↳ Share one concrete metric or result right now

13. “I trust your judgment on this.”
↳ Empower them, then actually let them run with it
↳ Delete that micromanaging email you drafted

14. “Let’s find a solution together.”
↳ When problems feel huge – create partnership
↳ Book a room, set a clear agenda, solve one piece

15. “Thank you for being direct with me.”
↳ After honest feedback – reward their courage
↳ Implement one piece of their feedback today




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?