I was in a meeting last week with someone who I had never met; as the conversation found its way to her, she commented that it was her very first day at the company. I'm not sure that I asked, but there must have been something in my reaction that brought on what followed.
Over the next three minutes, I'm pretty sure that I received the same spiel used during her interview process (in fact, I was waiting for her to abruptly pull a resume out of her purse and push it in my direction)...at the end of it all, I was left wondering why she felt compelled to introduce herself in that way, a bit bored, and not at all impressed (if that had been the purpose). I imagine that is not what she was trying to accomplish, nor the impression she was trying to make.
Early in my career, I was often asked to go to meetings where I was the lowest ranking person in the room. I dreaded the introductions, and the nerves would kick in as I ran through in my head what I would say when it was my turn. I finally developed a standard 'Wendy Carberg, representing XXX' amongst a sea of titles, roles, and credentials. I will admit that I still get a hint of that same nervous energy during introductions today (when I actually have a title I could use), but I long ago realized that if I was attending a meeting, sitting in a room, or at a function, I had a purpose for being there that didn't need to be justified in my introduction. I also became aware of how others used the introduction...or in many ways, misused the introduction.
There is some really good stuff out there on the topic of first impressions and making people like you, and much of dedicates a significant amount of time on carrying you through those first encounters and sometimes awkward introductions. It's definitely a skill to be mastered, but I tend to think there is more to it.
What luck that Coree at Market Like a Chick twittered the Denis Waitley quote 'It's not what you are that holds you back; it's what you think you're not.'
When you live in a title dependent environment, it's very easy to get caught up in assuring that everyone realizes your level of importance, your place in the pecking order, your reason for sitting in the meeting. Not to say there isn't a time and place for formal titles and outlining your credentials, but seeking respect and self worth there is a bit dangerous. Fear of who 'you're not' can be paralyzing.
My favorite meeting introduction of all time is used often by a senior leader I know...simply he states, 'I work in XXX.' There is a humility and confidence that is displayed in this that should be modeled...instead of Vice President of this, Director or that, CEO of my own little world...
As you sit in meetings this week, whether with people you know or those new to you, and the introduction baton is handed to you, take the opportunity to think about who you are and why you are sitting there.
I'd love to hear what you say about yourself.
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