How to make the most of a hallway chat

Most people think of exchanging words in the hallway as a quick “Hi, bye” event that doesn’t involve any messaging of importance. That’s true even if you add, “How’s it going?” or “Have a nice weekend.” Rarely do people think of these passing exchanges as having any substance. Think again! These conversations can be the most important ones you have that day. All you need to do is prepare to be spontaneous. Hallway conversations provide an opportunity to get quick, candid answers to an issue that concerns you. They are often more useful than arranged meetings. You’re more likely to get closure on the issue you raise because people are typically in a rush. These exchanges allow you to invite a new employee to lunch. They let you ask a colleague what was decided at a meeting, or mention to a direct report a project you’d like her to work on. So go for it. You will likely get a short answer that gives you what you need to move forward. STEP 1: MAKE SURE THE SITUATION IS RIGHT Don’t approach someone in the hallway if they are engaged in another conversation or in a rush. And don’t try to chat if the corridor is too crowded. It is just simple politeness to respect others if they are unavailable. Look at savvy reporters. They never interrupt someone who is already in a conversation. STEP 2: PREPARE TO BE SPONTANEOUS To make the most of these encounters, you’ll want to be prepared. In my book, Impromptu: Leading in the Moment, I note that the most successful impromptu remarks are the ones that are thought out in advance. One of my clients, a CEO of a tech company, discovered the power of preparation for impromptu chats. He developed remarks for everyone who was on his radar. He knew if he stepped into the elevator and saw any one of these people, he’d have something constructive to say, whether it was a query or a request or an idea. No wonder he rose to the top of his tech firm. STEP 3: THINK ABOUT YOUR OPENING As part of your preparation, decide on a few openings you might use. One good one is, “Do you have a minute?” Or, “There’s something I want to ask you.” If your window of opportunity is short, you might say, “Vijay, I need to talk to you about something.” The result might be setting up a meeting. STEP 4: KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY The rest of your preparation should be a one-line pitch followed by a call to action. The short pitch is your message. The call to action is the outcome you desire. A great example of a well-crafted hallway conversation was shared with me by a manager I know. He was a highly valued employee who was ready for a promotion. He had heard that a certain position was open in his department, and he felt ready for this advancement. So, when he passed his boss in the hallway, he said, “I am putting my name forward for the senior manager position in this department. I hope I have your support.” The first sentence was his pitch. The second sentence was his call to action. The boss said “sure.” What a win!