Unlike friends, you don’t choose who you work with. Often, this is a great thing: you have the opportunity to connect with people you may not have met otherwise. However, that can make finding common ground for non-work-related conversations a bit difficult. With conversation starters to fall back on, you can avoid awkward lulls and stretches of silence.

Asking questions like, “What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?” or “Do you have any hobbies?” can help establish rapport and open up deeper discussions. Whether it’s about a movie or a funny childhood memory, having conversations beyond the surface allows you to get to know someone on a more personal level.

Here are some additional benefits of deeper conversations:

Increased empathy
Sharing personal stories and favorite moments allows team members to better understand one another. Whether it’s discussing a regret from childhood or sharing a funny memory, deeper questions can foster empathy, making team members more accommodating and supportive of each other’s needs.