Group norms are the traditions, behavioral standards, and unwritten rules that govern how a team works together. They can be implied or openly acknowledged, but establishing a consistent way the team functions helps the individual members focus less on their own preferences and more on what works best.

Specializations tend to put people in silos, which inhibits communication and collaboration. The agile movement seeks to break down the dividing walls between customers and developers, and now DevOps is dismantling the wall between development and operations. But can't we break down multiple walls at once?

Most people who dislike small talk say it's because it's a waste of time. But sometimes it's necessary—provided you don't want to appear standoffish. One key to making small talk, therefore, is to find ways to turn the trivial banter into something more substantial. Use these suggestions in your next chat.