An Easy Way to Introduce Others

"Hi!?

In case we haven't met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki - please call me Andrea. I'm your executive communication coach. I coach ambitious business executives like you to improve your communication skills, so you can communicate with confidence and clarity….”

That’s my introduction in every episode of the Talk About Talk podcast.??

I talk a lot about self-introductions in my podcast, my HBR article, and in coaching and workshops.

What about introducing other people to each other?

Ideally, this is something that you do frequently. Especially here on LinkedIn!?

Making introductions is a relatively simple way to provide value to your connections.

It turns out there’s a right and wrong way to make introductions - whether you’re introducing a guest to a group or introducing two folks in your network.

It can be easy to make a blunder.

Do you know the do's and don'ts of making introductions??

I got you!

Read on to learn:

• A framework for how to introduce a guest to a group
• How to introduce two people - Do’s & Don’ts
• A script for making introductions

Introducing a guest to a group

You might be standing on stage introducing a keynote speaker, or you might be leading a meeting where you're introducing a person who’s new to the team. Whenever you’re introducing someone, use the three T’s:

1. Topic - Introduce the subject matter or expertise where the person will focus. Clarify the topic and highlight its significance.??
2. Talents - This is where you share the relevant talents of the person you’re introducing, including their credentials and accomplishments. This is where you can pump them up.?
3. Tone - Establish an enthusiastic and positive tone. Make sure the the guest feels welcome and appreciated.

These “3 T’s” will help you stay focused and introduce the person effectively.

Introducing two people

I love introducing people and helping make new connections.? It’s the best kind of networking!

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind to make this process efficient and effective.

If you’re making an ONLINE introduction, be sure to ask both parties first.? Send a quick email. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Do you mind if I send you an email to connect you?” Once you have two yes’s, send the introduction message.?

Typically when I'm introducing two of my connections through an email, I follow the script (keep reading -? below), and I hyperlink their names to their LinkedIn profiles. This makes it easy for them to learn about each other.

If you’re making an IN PERSON introduction, stand up. Get out of your chair. Yes, even if they say it isn’t necessary! This goes for whether you are making the introduction or being introduced.?

Then, regardless of the situation, here are a few DOs and DONTs:

????DON’T forget titles and last names if the introduction is formal, professional, or public.??

When in doubt, err on the side of formality.?

????DO introduce a lower-ranking person to a higher-ranking person and DO say the higher-ranking person’s name first.?

While this sounds antiquated, it does give you a good framework for introducing people.? The easiest way to do this is to always say the name of the higher-ranking person first.?

eg: “NAME(HIGHER RANK), I would like to introduce NAME(LOWER RANK)”

How do you determine rank?? Here are some guidelines:

? an older person (vs. a younger person)

? a more senior person (vs. a less senior person at an organization)

? a paying customer (vs. an employee)

? a guest (vs. a host)

Need a few more examples? Emily Post to the rescue!? This post lists several social situations where you might consider rank.

????DO provide relevant context that will encourage them to start talking.

There’s a wonderful ad by Denmark’s TV2 showing a series of introductions and what can happen when meaningful connections are made.?

(Warning, get Kleenex…)

Find their common element - a project, a hobby, or a shared interest.

????DON’T hog the conversation.?

Stand back and let them talk.

A 5-Step Introduction Script

Now, let’s put those two things together - the 3 T’s and the DOs and DONTs.

Here’s a 5-step script for making introductions.

1. Say the name of the ‘higher-ranking’ person (the boss, the eldest, the client or customer, the guest… )?
2. Say “I would like to introduce” or, “please meet” or, “this is,” etc.?
3. Say the name of the ‘lower-ranking’ person. (the subordinate, the younger, the employee or service provider, the host… )?
4. Provide context. This is the Topic. At work, context could be titles and responsibilities. It could also include how you know each of them, what they have in common.? You can also incorporate Talents in here, too.??
5. Stand back and let them talk! Get out of the way. Your job is done!

Let’s see it in action:

1. Madame Mayor….
2. I would like to introduce….
3. Chef Gordon Ramsay.
4. Mayor Chow is hosting this event to recognize outstanding volunteers in our city.? Chef Ramsay is responsible for the menu at today’s event.? It includes his most famous dishes and Mayor Chow, we made sure it included your personal favourite, his sticky toffee pudding.? I think you’re both also avidly awaiting the next FIFA World Cup in 2026.
5. Stand back.

Did you notice the three T’s here?

?Topic?

?Talents?

?Tone?

Always pay attention to your Tone.? You’re setting the stage for a connection with the group/audience/person. You want it to be positive.

Homework

You can guess what your homework is this week. Make at least one valuable introduction between two members of your LinkedIn network. Use the script and don't forget the three T’s.

Let me know how it goes!?

Do you have any other suggestions for making effective introductions? Please leave a comment below.??

Talk soon,

Andrea

Dr. Andrea Wojnicki is a Harvard-educated executive communication coach. She founded "Talk About Talk" to help ambitious executives communicate with confidence and clarity by focusing on topics such as personal branding, overcoming imposter syndrome, listening, demonstrating leadership, and formal presentation skills.? Andrea provides 1:1 coaching, workshops, keynote speeches, and online courses. She also shares her thought leadership as a columnist at Inc. Magazine and hosts the Talk About Talk podcast, with over 150 episodes and counting.