Over the last 10 years, I’ve hosted over 770 dinners, inviting everyone from Fortune 500 executives to strangers who just need a table to belong to.
My work and mission has always been to help people build community and feel a stronger sense of gratitude. I love watching new relationships form, whether it’s a professional contact or a new friendship.
A pattern I’ve noticed is that the people with the highest emotional intelligence at our events don’t care about coming off like the smartest person in the room. Their biggest priority is making their conversation partner feel seen and understood.
Here are eight joyful phrases people with high emotional intelligence use to turn small talk into genuine connections.
This is an invitation to go beyond the surface. It demonstrates that you are paying attention to not just the words the other person is saying, but the feelings behind them. When you do that, you show yourself to be both observant and trustworthy.
