Stop saying 'how was your weekend?' Do this instead, says public speaking expert: 'It doesn't have to be deep'

Professional speaker and executive coach Henna Pryor reveals three simple ways she uses small talk to make real connections with others.

Why This Matters

A new approach to small talk has been gaining attention, with public speaking expert Henna Pryor suggesting that asking 'how was your weekend?' can be a missed opportunity for meaningful connections. As professionals and individuals navigate social situations, Pryor's advice offers a fresh perspective on building relationships. This shift in approach is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced, increasingly digital world.

In Week 17 2026, General accounted for 35 related article(s), with Other setting the broader headline context. Coverage of Other decreased by 147 article(s) versus the prior week, but remained material in the weekly agenda.

Coverage Snapshot

Week 17 2026 included 35 Other article(s). Leading outlets for this topic included BBC, Independent, NY Times. Across that cluster, sentiment showed a mostly neutral skew (avg score 0.03).

Key Insights

Primary keywords: professional, connections, executive, speaking, weekend.
Topic focus: Other coverage with neutral sentiment.
Source context: reported by CNBC.
Published: 2026-04-20.
Published by CNBC, contributing a distinct source perspective.
Date context: published during Week 17 2026, when Other dominated weekly headlines.

Tone & Sentiment

The article tone is classified as neutral, driven by the language and emphasis in the summary. The sentiment score of -0.05 indicates the strength of that tone.

Context

The topic of effective communication and small talk has been a recurring theme in recent media coverage. Outlets such as CNBC have highlighted the importance of genuine connections in both personal and professional settings. Experts like Pryor are offering practical advice on how to navigate everyday conversations and build stronger relationships. As a result, readers are seeking guidance on how to engage with others in a more authentic way.

Key Takeaway

In short, this article underscores key movement in Other and explains why it matters now.

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CNBC Stop saying 'how was your weekend?' Do this instead, says public speaking expert: 'It doesn't have to be deep'