How do you answer the question: "What do you do?"
Reagan Pugh
Professional Speaker ?? Author of "Too Emotional: Overcome the Thunderstorm of Feelings, Shame and Self-Doubtâ€
You know the moment...you're out with a friend and y'all bump into someone they know from high school - so everyone gets introduced.
Shortly after the small talk dissipates, the person you just met looks at you and says: "So...what do you do?"
And you freeze.
Maybe your face flushes.
You wonder why they'd ruin such a beautiful evening with such a basic question...but your anger soon morphs into shame.
Shame because, despite the fact people ask you what you do all the time, you've yet to create a thoughtful response you're proud of. So you kick yourself after fumbling through language which doesn't accurately describe what you do at all - and it definitely doesn't elicit engagement from anyone listening.
I'm with you.
I've been there.
But here's the deal - when people ask us, "So...what do you do?" - they're actually giving us a gift.
They are opening the door for us to show them how much our work means to us, and inviting us share what we want out of life without looking like a used car salesman.
They are nudging us to turn a regular interaction into a moment of real connection. They're not sizing us up. They're not quizzing us on our industry.
Think about it this way - the question, "So...what do you do?" can be roughly translated as:
I want human connection. I am looking for things we have in common so I can be seen and feel like I’m valuable, worthy, and not an outsider. Please, let’s find a way to make this interaction matter. My feeble attempt to move toward you is by asking you what you do for work. Can you take it from here?
What if you were able to enjoy (even look forward to) the question, "So...what do you do?", and what if you could be the kind of person who fostered deeper connection with others - even when talking about work?
I want to teach you how to master your answer to that dreaded networking question, and equip you to talk about what you do with confidence and ease in my upcoming virtual workshop:
Telling Your Story: Evolving Past the Elevator Pitch
Wednesday, August 26th | 12:00pm-1:00pm CST
It will be interactive. We will do work. You will leave with language you're proud of.