Public speaking expert: Here's my secret to making small talk 'less awkward' and 'more meaningful'

Ever had a moment where you're talking to someone and suddenly can't think of what to say next? It can be awkward.

Small talk is the side salad of conversation: often overlooked, occasionally soggy, but essential if you want to get to the main course of deeper connection. Whether it's the two-minute exchange before a meeting or a quick elevator chat, these moments matter. 

As a professional speaker and executive coach, I live on conversation. But I've also had my fair share of blank moments and stale openers. Lately, I've started using AI tools like ChatGPT Pro and Perplexity as strategic rehearsal partners, not just for big speeches, but for the tiny, high-impact conversations in between.

Here's how I use AI to improve my small talk skills.

We've all reached for that common conversational crutch: "So, how about this weather?" AI can help you retire that line for good.

DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to using AI to communicate better

Instead of relying on overused clichés, I ask AI to generate icebreakers based on real context:

• "Based on this person's LinkedIn profile, what are three conversation starters I could use?"
• "Give me three light openers for a new client call happening right after the company all-hands meeting."
• "Suggest casual but thoughtful questions to break the ice at a networking event with software leaders."

Pro tip: The better your inputs (who, what, where), the sharper the outputs. The better the context, the more refined your suggestions will be.

If you've ever stumbled through an explanation only to get blank stares, this one's for you.

I'll often tell AI: "I need to explain [X topic] in a casual conversation, but I want it to stick. Can you help me find a metaphor, analogy, or one-liner to make it punchy?"

AI is great at helping me turn a decent idea into something more snackable and shareable. Instead of rambling through a point, I'll get something like:

• "Remote work is like dating long distance. It works best with regular check-ins."
• "That team's energy is like cold brew: intense, fast, and sometimes too much all at once."

Do I love every suggestion? Definitely not, and some are definitely too corny for my taste. But the good ones help me practice being brief and vivid, and give me inspiration I can actually use, which makes even hallway chats more impactful.

The most important conversations rarely have calendar invites. AI helps me be ready anyway. 

Before a meeting, I'll feed AI details like: who's attending, their roles, what they likely care about, and what I'm contributing. Then I'll ask:

• "Based on this context, what are a few questions I could ask that would add value?"
• "If I had just one to two soundbites to share in this meeting, what should they be and when might be a good time to offer them?"

The point isn't to script your interactions. It's to spark ideas and build muscle memory, so when the moment comes, you've got something ready to go.

Start small. Use AI to help you prep three conversation starters before your next meeting or event and see what lands. Notice what feels natural and save the good ones to rinse and reuse. You'll build your own personal "social cheat sheet," and each interaction will feel a little less awkward, a little more meaningful.

Henna Pryor, CSP, is a global keynote speaker who helps leaders and teams communicate with confidence and authenticity. She is a SUCCESS Magazine Woman of Influence, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and Glassdoor WorkLife Pro. She is also the author of "Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You."

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