What is Your Introduction Doing for Others?

For the past month or so, I have been asking my team to think about how they introduce themselves.

Why would someone care who they are?

Why would a stranger want to know what they do?

As always, the teacher has become the student. As I’ve coached my team on what makes a compelling introduction, I’ve had to dissect my boring intro.

The truth is, I introduce myself like everyone. Name, title, company pitch. It’s cold. It's lackluster and nobody cares. Yet, changing my introduction is easier said than done. A new introduction requires thinking about the people I meet instead of thinking about a rehearsed spiel. It requires throwing all the polished words out the window and most of all, it requires vulnerability.

Why would someone care who I am? The truth is they won’t care unless I give them a reason too.

Why would a stranger want to know about my job? Unless they have an immediate need for something I have to offer, I have learned that most people don’t really care what I do. However, some find it interesting to know why I do it and others are waiting for me to reveal an experience or a way of thinking that interests them.

Most of us have two minutes or less to make a first impression, to give context about future interactions and to establish both credibility and like-ability. This realization is forcing me to be more mindful about what I say and do when I meet new people.

In my next article, I’ll share the work we've done so far, and give you few tips for modifying your own intro for the better.

In the meantime, I’d love your comments. What is your two-minute introduction is doing for others?