Taking the "hell" out of hello: how to introduce yourself
Early on in my career, I was fearful to introduce myself to people I perceived as “above me” in rank. I also thought that in general, small talk was useless (I used to call it plastic talk) because it seemed so fake and artificial. So I avoided introducing myself and making conversations.
Although I did network internally, I didn't do it nearly enough or with the right mix of people. I didn't network externally at all. My career suffered. Because I didn't have strong connections, many times my intentions were misunderstood, or worse, colleagues thought I was purposefully being disrespectful.
I finally understood that small talk were just a way to begin to move toward meaningful conversations and that networking effecively was critically important to career success. My coach said to me, "Lisa, you don't ask someone to marry you on the first date!"
The best Self-introduction I've ever received was not a professional one. It was a letter. Prior to the start of their kindergarten year, my children each received a hand-written note from the school principal. She introduced herself by listing her favorite things to eat (pizza and popcorn) and by sharing her favorite summertime activities (going to the movies and to the beach).
I also received a letter of introduction. However, in our letter, the principal described her professional experience and educational background along with her goals for the school and for the children in the upcoming year.
My children and I immediately liked the principal because she shared things about herself that overlapped with our own interest. She successfully create a strong first impression, which engendered a positive reaction in us.
Google someone to discover common ground. "In my case, when strangers tell me they play hockey, they lower my resistance to their pitch because we have something in common.
"Hello, my dear young historian! I'm..., your new history teacher! This is my third year teaching high school world history online- it's a fascinating subject! I've read all of the Twilight Sage and finally started reading Harry Potter this week. I live in downtown Seattle, where I love to go to museums and concerts. Last month I went to the 30 seconds to Mart concert....
I enjoy.. when I'm not.., I work as a learning...
"hello Mr. Brown: this is Joe Smith with the Metropolitan historical library. I recently read your article,.. and see by your website that you will be in our city for a few weeks. I'm very interested in meeting you to share some of what we are doing here at Metropolitan. I'd love to tel you how we are applying your ideas and would like to get your advice on how we might do it different. Would you be free for coffee on Friday morning, September 15, at 9:00a.a.? We have a cafe in the library and I would love to treat you. Thank you for considering this.
Ask often-ended, follow-up questions:
Wow! Really? Can you give me an example?
What happened after that?
How did you get interest in that?
How did you feel when ..
Why do you think that's important to you?
Interesting, do you think you would have answered the same way five years ago?
Early on in my career, I was fearful to introduce myself to people I perceived as “above me” in rank. I also thought that in general, small talk was useless (I used to call it plastic talk) because it seemed so fake and artificial. So I avoided introducing myself and making conversations.
Although I did network internally, I didn't do it nearly enough or with the right mix of people. I didn't network externally at all. My career suffered. Because I didn't have strong connections, many times my intentions were misunderstood, or worse, colleagues thought I was purposefully being disrespectful.
I finally understood that small talk were just a way to begin to move toward meaningful conversations and that networking effecively was critically important to career success. My coach said to me, "Lisa, you don't ask someone to marry you on the first date!"
The best Self-introduction I've ever received was not a professional one. It was a letter. Prior to the start of their kindergarten year, my children each received a hand-written note from the school principal. She introduced herself by listing her favorite things to eat (pizza and popcorn) and by sharing her favorite summertime activities (going to the movies and to the beach).
I also received a letter of introduction. However, in our letter, the principal described her professional experience and educational background along with her goals for the school and for the children in the upcoming year.
My children and I immediately liked the principal because she shared things about herself that overlapped with our own interest. She successfully create a strong first impression, which engendered a positive reaction in us.
Google someone to discover common ground. "In my case, when strangers tell me they play hockey, they lower my resistance to their pitch because we have something in common.
"Hello, my dear young historian! I'm..., your new history teacher! This is my third year teaching high school world history online- it's a fascinating subject! I've read all of the Twilight Sage and finally started reading Harry Potter this week. I live in downtown Seattle, where I love to go to museums and concerts. Last month I went to the 30 seconds to Mart concert....
I enjoy.. when I'm not.., I work as a learning...
"hello Mr. Brown: this is Joe Smith with the Metropolitan historical library. I recently read your article,.. and see by your website that you will be in our city for a few weeks. I'm very interested in meeting you to share some of what we are doing here at Metropolitan. I'd love to tel you how we are applying your ideas and would like to get your advice on how we might do it different. Would you be free for coffee on Friday morning, September 15, at 9:00a.a.? We have a cafe in the library and I would love to treat you. Thank you for considering this.
Ask often-ended, follow-up questions:
Wow! Really? Can you give me an example?
What happened after that?
How did you get interest in that?
How did you feel when ..
Why do you think that's important to you?
Interesting, do you think you would have answered the same way five years ago?
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