There are two types of people in the world: those for whom the mere mention of small talk inspires dread and despair, and those who take to it like a duckling to a warm bath.

If you fall into the former camp, it’s quite frustrating that the act of small talk seems to make up so much of our workplace interactions. An ability to have a chit-chat can feel more essential than Excel skills; it’s a necessity for landing a job, networking, getting a promotion, getting in your boss’s good books… the list goes on and on.

We tend to think of the gift of the gab as something innate, but the truth is that having good chat is a skill that can be built. How, you may ask? That’s where Matt Abrahams comes in.

Abrahams is a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, the author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot and Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, and the host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast. In short, he is the true expert when it comes to communication in the world of work.

“In the intricate dance of social interactions, the ability to engage in meaningful small talk – or as some like to call it, schmoozing – can be a game-changer,” he tells Stylist. “Whether you’re navigating a networking event, mingling at a party or just striking up a conversation with a colleague, mastering the art of schmoozing can open doors and create lasting connections.”

Abrahams says there are five simple rules to great small talk, which he shares ahead.

How to schmooze at work: the 5 essential rules of good small talk