MGMA Insights: Mastering the Fine Art of Small Talk with Debra Fine

MGMA Podcasts

In this episode of the MGMA Insights podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with renowned small talk expert and author Deborah Fine to discuss her transformation from introverted engineer to communication skills coach. Debra shares her experiences developing her small talk skills and offers practical advice for effectively navigating social interactions in personal and professional settings. They also discuss updates to her book The Fine Art of Small Talk.

Key Takeaways:

-Small talk is important for developing relationships both personally and professionally. It acts as an "appetizer" to get to know someone.

-People should assume the burden of making others comfortable in conversations by asking questions, showing interest, and finding common ground.

-Ask open-ended questions and be a good listener to avoid mundane small talk and truly learn about the other person.

-Gracefully exit boring conversations when needed by using strategies like mentioning the need to greet someone else.

-Be mindful of word choices to avoid putting one's foot in their mouth or bringing up sensitive topics inappropriately.

-Find ways to stay regularly connected with family and friends, even if just through brief daily check-ins like playing Wordle together.

-An updated edition of The Fine Art of Small Talk features two new chapters that cover political conversations and managing conversations around loss.

Sources and Resources:

Debra Fine's book "The Fine Art of Small Talk"

MGMA Resources:

• MGMA Stat
• Ask an Advisor
• MGMA Membership
• MGMA Consulting

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
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Today’s podcast is sponsored by RingCentral

RingCentral brings staff, patients, and payers together with compliant cloud communications and a modern call center on any device. A free new ebook from RingCentral and MGMA focuses specifically on the payer-provider relationship. With all-too-familiar patient reviews, must-see statistics, and a transformative case study, this eBook illustrates how easily cloud communications can bring patients, providers, and payers together. Download your copy at go.ringcentral.com/mgma-healthcare.html.

Support for this podcast also comes from ilumed
ilumed helps Medicare providers practice better medicine so they can get paid in up to three ways. Whether you’re just starting your value-based-care journey or ready to take it to the next level, ilumed can help you do more for your patients while earning more. ilumed offers simple solutions for a complicated industry. Let’s heal healthcare together. Visit ilumed.com to learn more.