How to introduce yourself

We all had the boring introduction that most of the time we get asked “What do you do?”, wherever we set ourselves up for new relationships, opportunities and interview.

Socializing or mingling at any event or gathering inevitably means being asked the question “What do you do?” Over and over again. After years of replication and habituation, most of us respond with the title and the company name “I’m director at that big factory.” And while this is the answer people expect, it’s also likely to remain in your new acquaintance’s mind only until it’s replaced by what the next person says to them. This makes also people are very sensitive to their titles and names of their companies as they only think this is what defines them and as long as those names are known enough this gives them their prestige. However, the truth is who you are is not defined by your title or by the name of the company you belong; it’s rather your qualities, thoughts and efforts for what you want to be is what defines you.

Despite answering with your title and company is the cultural norm, it means when you do, you’re missing out on an opportunity for the other person to know who you actually are. You are not just your job and it all starts with how you introduce yourself.

Introducing yourself this way isn’t just about standing out in a crowded room. When you are naming your special superpowers upfront, you’re increasing the chances that the other person will bring up an opportunity, relationship, business or idea that you are interested in or that could help you in whatever you wish to do. When you get your introduction right, the opportunity is not only to genuinely connect with people, but you’ll also be allowed to do the work you really want to do.

But Be Aware: crafting your intro takes a bit of time and effort. As the world of work continues to change in ways we can’t anticipate, knowing what sets you apart from the pack is crucial. So how to make the best intro for yourself is the main question.

Intro isn’t just a title

The first thing you need to do is to figure out who you actually are. First ask yourself “What is it you would like to be known for?” It’s an uncomfortable question, and rather than relying on previous accomplishments, you’re forced to consider what you’d like your impact to be.

Some people will reply to “What do you do?” is “I’m a doctor or football player.” But instead use a deeper and more compelling intro like “what do you do that can make the world an overwhelming place, so I help people connect to each other by telling stories as a journalist as a playwright.”

Use your intro to solve problems.

We all problems solvers by design it doesn’t matter our jobs, industry or titles ..etc. So when you are devising your intro by discovering your unique story it is also trying to find out the problems you are particularly good at solving.

Use this tactic on yourself. What problems do you solve at work? And what makes you especially effective at doing so? Framing yourself as a problem-solver may trigger an instant reaction when you newly meet someone. “I have that problem, too!” you could hear them saying. Figure out how to deliver your capabilities in a single sentence. For example, instead of saying “I’m a doctor who specializes in certain type of medicine,” you could say, “I think the biggest problem about the medical system is education. As a doctor who focuses on medical trials, I’m helping finding solutions for a specific illness or health problem.”

Ask people for help

It’s often hard for people to see their own skills. If you’re having a difficult time identifying your talents, why don’t you turn to the people who know you well and ask them “What is it you see that I do well and that I’m unaware is really special?” You’ll generally find common themes or language in their responses even if they’re people from different parts of your life.

Make a vulnerable intro

Finding people that we connect with can be elusive, especially at work-related events. So, take a chance, open up in your opening remarks, and reveal something honest about yourself. Use phrases, like “I’m really passionate about football” or “What excites me the most about what I do is coaching,” Such phrases that can communicate your emotion and enthusiasm and that inspire others to respond in kind.

Get an authentic feedback on your introduction.

After you’ve crafted your opening practice it on five people you know well. Then, a few days later, ask them ‘What do you remember most about my intro?” Their few-days-later feedback will tell you what is most memorable about your opening, what you could alter, and what you might try to lean into when meeting new people.

Resist going back to the same-old intro.

The truth is, it will always be easier to say the old styled intro that stumble through small talk, and then move on to the next person and so on. In addition, when you give a nontraditional introduction, you will inevitably run into some people who don’t get it.

But it is urgent to resist and persist.

Lastly, you may find that coming up with an authentic, personal introduction leads to deeper exposures in your life. We all want to learn and figure out what would matter on this planet and it can start by asking ourselves a simple question of what we do?