Avoiding chatty superiors

Handling conversations with a talkative or boring superior at work can be a delicate balance, especially when you're trying to maintain professionalism and not hurt their feelings. Here are some strategies:

1. **Set boundaries**: You can let them know politely and professionally that you have a lot of work to do and need to focus on your tasks. This can be as simple as saying, "I'm sorry, but I really need to get back to work on this project."

2. **Schedule meetings**: If your superior frequently comes to your desk and engages in long, unproductive conversations, consider scheduling regular meetings. This can help to contain the conversation to a specific time and place. 

3. **Steer the conversation**: Try to guide the conversation back to work-related topics when it starts to veer off course. You can do this by saying something like, "That's interesting, but I was wondering if you could help me understand this aspect of our project better..."

4. **Ask direct, work-related questions**: If the conversation starts drifting, bring it back by asking a clear, work-related question. This can help refocus the conversation and keep it on track.

5. **Use body language**: Non-verbal cues can be powerful. If you're busy, you can show this through your body language – by looking at your computer screen or continuing to type while you talk, for instance.

6. **Involve others**: If appropriate, invite other colleagues to join the conversation. They might help steer the conversation towards more work-related topics.

7. **Keep your answers short**: If the superior is going on and on, keeping your responses brief and to the point can discourage them from launching into a longer conversation.

8. **Communicate openly**: If the problem persists, it might be worth having a frank discussion with your superior about your concerns. Approach this with care, framing it in terms of your desire to be more productive and contribute more to the team.

Remember, maintaining respect and professionalism is key when implementing these strategies.