Vertical Thinking

by Nathan Cheever

Small Talk as an Onramp

I've had it backwards for so long

As an introvert, small talk has never come easy for me. I enjoy watching the occasional football or basketball game. Still, I can’t talk at length about the recent trades or injuries. And the latest on TV or streaming shows? Nope, I’m lost. I don’t say this to boast, for if anything, it’s hindered me in quickly finding common ground in the break room. Last year, I caught a ride home with a coworker who lived nearby.