Use a two-part exit: name a next task, then offer to continue later. Try Sorry, I need to jump on a call. Can we pick this up after lunch? The task justifies leaving, and the offer keeps you sounding friendly.
To redirect chat toward work instead of exiting, ask a substantive question, like Speaking of busy weeks, how is the inventory project going? This moves the conversation off small talk without ending it.
Steps to exit politely
Name your next task out loud, since a specific reason works best: Sorry, I need to jump on a call in five minutes.
Offer to continue later, pairing it with the task: Can we pick this up after lunch? The offer keeps the exit friendly rather than dismissive.
Redirect small talk toward work when you would rather steer than leave: Speaking of busy weeks, how is the inventory project going? This moves chat to a substantive topic without ending anything.
Use an environmental cue when one appears. If a meeting is starting or your drinks are finished, letting the situation close the exchange can replace a formal goodbye entirely.
A finished exit you could send or say
Here is a finished exit, assembled from the steps above, that you could send or say almost word for word.
It's been really good catching up with you. I should get back to it, I have a deliverable due at three. Could we continue this after the team meeting, around four? I'd love to hear more about the trip.
Notice how it moves through all three moves in one breath: a warm acknowledgment, a specific task that justifies leaving, and a concrete offer to pick the conversation up later. The closing question even hands the other person something pleasant to hold on to, so the ending feels generous rather than abrupt.
You can adapt the same shape to any situation. A colleague stopping by your desk becomes I'd better get this report finished. Can we talk tomorrow morning? A neighbor at the mailbox becomes I'm just heading out to an appointment. Walk and talk another day?
One caveat: the other person may ask about your task instead of letting you go. The steps cover how to handle that, so just stay brief there.
Quick completion check
You named a specific next task and offered to continue later, so your exit gave a reason and sounded friendly. Both phrases came out in the same conversation.
If a suitable moment appeared, you used it: a meeting starting, arriving somewhere, or your drinks being finished, and the exchange closed naturally without a formal goodbye.
If your conversation partner asked about your named task, you gave a one-line answer and repeated your exit line, like Anyway, I should run. Talk after lunch!
If you chose to steer rather than leave, you asked one substantive work question, like How is the inventory project going? and the chat moved off small talk.