There can also be other factors at play. “From a psychological standpoint, [the fear of small talk] can be accounted for with challenging personality traits, social anxiety or cognitive load,” Dr Singh says. “For introverts, small talk is draining because it demands frequent socialisation with no reward of a meaningful connection. For those affected by social anxiety, the prospect of small talk often triggers fears of being judged or of conversing awkwardly.”

Dr Nayak notes that neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD or autism spectrum traits, can find small talk difficult because “their brains tend to prefer structured, goal-oriented conversations rather than casual exchanges that do not seem to serve a clear purpose”.

We know that everybody has different ways of working, which is not only normal but can contribute to workplace creativity and productivity. However, if what the experts are saying feels familiar, here are four ways to overcome your fear of small talk.

4 ways to overcome your fear of small talk at work, according to experts