Whether good or bad, gossip is an inherent part of work life. Employees usually make small talk with their colleagues, discussing topics such as the weather and new TV shows.
But younger generations would like to discuss more serious topics with their colleagues – and even with their boss. This phenomenon has a name: “big talk”. It represents the direct opposite of “small talk”, those trivial exchanges whose sole function is to break silence.
And, as the name suggests, “big talk” is much more serious. Don’t even consider talking about whether it’s rainy or sunny out: the aim is to discuss important subjects that will help you forge a deeper bond with the person you are speaking with.
Pinterest made “big talk” one of its top trends for 2024, saying searches for “hot-seat questions” increased by 825% on its platform between September 2021 and August 2023, and searches for “deep conversation starters” by 185%.
At first glance, the office or workplace may not seem like the best environment for this kind of discussion. Yet, many young employees wouldn’t mind their colleagues talking to them about matters such as their passions, or challenges they’re facing both professionally and personally.
“It’s all about asking the questions that matter and giving them a chance to share how they are feeling about certain things,” coach and psychologist Ruth Kudzi told People Management magazine.
This is related to the fact that young working people attach great importance to being themselves at work. They refuse to self-censor or downplay their personality, as older generations have traditionally done.
For Kudzi, this quest for authenticity in the professional sphere is not unrelated to young people’s online habits. “They’ve had a diet of social media, so they are often more informed and knowledgeable about topics than generations before them.
“As such, they want to engage on this level, feeling confident to add their opinions into the mix,” she noted.
Of course, it’s not always easy, or even appropriate, to talk about certain subjects with colleagues – but sometimes it’s worth a try. Who knows, you might even discover common passions with your colleagues: an additional motivating factor for getting to the office.