The Value of Small Talk in Virtual Meetings: Building Connections in a Digital World

Before COVID-19, when most people worked in an office, informal conversations were a regular part of the workday. Whether chatting over a coffee before a meeting or catching up briefly in the hallway, employees had natural opportunities to connect. These small moments of interaction—small talk—were crucial for building camaraderie, fostering alignment, and creating a sense of belonging.

In virtual meetings, however, the dynamic has shifted. Participants are notified of the meeting by a pop-up, they log in, and they dive directly into the agenda. With this format, the human element often gets sidelined, leaving people feeling like machines ticking items off a list. But if there’s one thing we know about decision-making, it’s that connections matter. Building alignment and making effective decisions aren’t just about facts and logic; they’re often driven by the relationships we cultivate.

Why Small Talk Matters

Small talk might seem insignificant, but it plays a powerful role in team dynamics. Informal conversations create a foundation of trust, making people feel more comfortable and open during the main discussion. Small talk fosters a sense of camaraderie and connection that encourages team members to collaborate more effectively. This is especially important in virtual settings, where face-to-face interaction is limited, and creating a sense of personal connection can be challenging.

In virtual meetings, without these light moments of connection, discussions can feel transactional, and team members may struggle to feel fully engaged. Research shows that people are more willing to go out of their way to help colleagues when they feel positively connected to them. Small talk leads to more positive emotions and can increase cooperation, ultimately making the team more productive and aligned.

Making Space for Small Talk in Virtual Meetings

To bring the human element back into virtual meetings, organizers can proactively set aside time for small talk. One effective strategy is to schedule meetings with a “speedy meeting” option—compressing a 30-minute meeting to 25 minutes, or a 60-minute meeting to 50 minutes. This automatically leaves a few extra minutes at the beginning or end of the meeting for team members to engage in small talk.

When team members have these few minutes to chat casually, they can share updates, discuss personal interests, and simply catch up. This helps everyone relax, building rapport and trust before diving into work. In fact, these few minutes can save time in the long run. When team members feel connected, they are often more aligned on goals, reducing the time needed to make decisions.

Addressing the Misconception: Is Small Talk a Waste of Time?

To some leaders, small talk may seem like a waste of valuable time, especially in a world where productivity is a constant focus. However, studies have shown that the benefits of small talk far outweigh any perceived drawbacks. When people feel connected and positive, their willingness to collaborate and help each other increases, which can lead to faster, more effective decision-making.

Beyond building a collaborative atmosphere, small talk can serve as a pulse check on the team’s morale and well-being. In remote settings, where it’s harder to observe subtle cues about how people are feeling, small talk provides valuable insights into team members' mental states. Leaders can use these moments to gauge overall sentiment, identify stressors, and show empathy. By paying attention to casual conversations, managers can get a more accurate, real-time understanding of the team’s well-being—more so than an annual employee satisfaction survey ever could.

The power of small talk lies in the positive emotions it creates. Positive emotions improve our willingness to cooperate, making people more inclined to support and assist one another. This can lead to smoother decision-making and stronger team cohesion. When team members have a chance to connect personally, it builds a reservoir of goodwill that they can draw upon during collaborative tasks, especially when challenges arise.

Implementing Small Talk as a Strategic Tool

Making small talk part of the routine in virtual meetings doesn’t require complex changes. Here are a few practical ways to introduce small talk into your remote work culture:

1. Start Meetings Casually: Encourage everyone to join a few minutes early for informal chat. This allows team members to ease into the meeting, creating a more comfortable environment.

   
   

2. Use the Speedy Meeting Feature : Schedule meetings with a few minutes of buffer time. Whether it’s a five-minute gap in a 30-minute meeting or a ten-minute gap in a 60-minute meeting, this feature provides a structured way to add space for small talk.

   
   

3. Create Regular Check-ins : Schedule occasional meetings solely for team bonding. These meetings don’t need a formal agenda; instead, they can be used to connect, share personal updates, and discuss non-work topics.

   
   

4. Encourage Leaders to Model Small Talk : When leaders engage in small talk, it sets a tone that this type of conversation is valued. Leaders who share personal updates or show genuine interest in team members’ lives build stronger, more trusting relationships.

   
   

Embracing Small Talk for a Stronger Virtual Team

In a remote or hybrid world, small talk isn’t a trivial distraction—it’s an essential part of creating a connected, engaged team. By intentionally making space for casual conversations, leaders can bridge the gap between online and in-person interactions. This simple shift can improve decision-making, build trust, and foster a positive, inclusive culture where team members feel connected and supported.

So, the next time you schedule a virtual meeting, consider leaving a few extra minutes for small talk. It’s a small investment with a big payoff: stronger relationships, happier employees, and a more productive team. In the digital age, human connection is just as important as ever—and sometimes, it’s the casual, unscripted conversations that make all the difference.