Embedding Context for Powerful Conversations

When Miles met his new boss over Zoom, he started with a generic “How’s it going?” His boss stared back, half-smile plastered on, and replied with a guarded, “Fine.” The call dragged while Miles desperately searched for common ground.

By contrast, at his next check-in, Miles referenced his boss’s recent LinkedIn post celebrating a team award at work. “Congratulations on that marketing award—you mentioned switching up your email copy saved you 20 percent more clicks. How did you design the new messaging?” Instantly, his boss leaned forward, animated. The rest of the meeting flowed like a well-oiled engine.

Context isn’t about snooping; it’s an act of respect. Research in social cognition shows that we’re wired to bond over shared details. A single sensory cue—a favorite coffee blend, a hometown sports team—can transform a limp exchange into a lively dialogue. Embedding that context in your ask signals you value the other’s achievements and viewpoints, creating a connection that’s remembered long after the coffee goes cold.

Next time you reach out, spend two minutes gathering three facts about the person—check their social feed, blog, or company page. Use those details to craft an opening like, “I noticed you just launched your podcast on X; I’d love to know which episode taught you the most.” Then ask one direct follow-up to go deeper. That little extra context will break the ice and get the conversation flowing.