more formal than the ones you have with fellow employees, avoid topics that even hint at disagreement or controversy. While soft skills such as verbal communication are part of building strong work relationships , it's important to respect other people's space. Here's where reading social cues come in. For example, when people are on their smartphone or reading in the breakroom , that's a signal they're not interested in a long conversation; acknowledge them when you enter the room , but don't just approach them and start talking But if they put down whatever they're doing, that's your cue that it's OK to engage in small talk. 1. What can improve the relationship among people in a group? square 2. What do your coworkers base on to form an opinion of you? square 3. What is the first small talk topic that the author recommends? 4. Who should you make small talk with apart from your colleagues? 5. What should you take into consideration to show your respect for others' space?