Getting Out of a Bad Conversation

Making network connections is a way of life for most business professionals. Your network helps close sales, puts you in touch with important people and creates job opportunities. Unfortunately, you may run across a bad conversation along the way to finding your optimal networking potential. Here are some tips on how to deal with being trapped in an awkward position.

Prepare

Perhaps the best way to avoid a bad conversation is to become a master conversationalist yourself. You have to learn to think on your feet, switch topics instantly and know what to say on a moment's notice. For some people, this comes naturally, while others need to practice. If you find yourself uncomfortable while introducing yourself to complete strangers, you should practice ahead of trying to expand your network connections with face-to-face interaction.

Practice

Choose wisely when you select which networking events to attend. Stay within your comfort zone as you start practicing. Small events, such as lectures, workshops and small-group presentations, are good ways to begin socializing because these are small, targeted groups that have a very narrow interest. That means you already have a lot in common with the people in the room and it's easier to start an interaction while steering clear of a bad conversation.

Interact

Find topics of conversation you genuinely enjoy as a way to start talking to people who have similar interests. Your professional expertise is a good place to start, plus you can move onto the latest technological innovation in your industry. If you're traveling, research the area and start talking about that new restaurant that opened downtown.

Listen

Pay attention to what other people say and come up with topics they might find interesting. Ask open-ended questions, and take cues from the other person speaking. Avoid talking about your business at first, and get to know the other person for a few minutes before turning the topic to why you're there in the first place. Listening to those around you makes a bad conversation less likely.

Continue practicing at smaller events until you get better at striking up and continuing conversations. Then you can branch out to bigger and better things.

Last Resort

Despite your best efforts, a bad conversation may happen anyway. Develop a subtle exit strategy if you just get too uncomfortable when someone starts talking about weird medical procedures, the weather, a messy relationship struggle or cute videos of kittens meowing.

Make an excuse to leave the conversation, such as needing to get more coffee or loading up on more appetizers from the buffet. Start a new conversation with a different person on the way to or from the food. You could even go so far as to say you need to take a moment to call your spouse and step out of the room to make a phone call.

Use the buddy system at networking events. A colleague can come and bail you out at any time or introduce you to people you need to know.

Getting out of a bad conversation isn't as bad as you might think. There are plenty of people at networking functions, so the chances of you running into the same people again may be minimal. You have plenty of chances to get to know people at a later date.

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