The Mouth-Watering Introduction

by Lauri

People will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel
.
– Maya Angelou

Have you ever been asked to introduce yourself in 30 seconds or less to a group of people you’ve never met before? 

Zounds! The pressure…

Whether it’s in a networking meeting or a corporate all-hands meeting, most of us have been asked to make our mark within this time frame.  Unfortunately, our Soul Suckers often take the reins and attempt to say everything we might ever have to say within the 30-seconds. That’s impossible!  It’s also highly ineffective.

Our Soul Suckers focus on doing and saying and have little or no capacity to comprehend presence, being and how we make others feel.  So what on earth can we do differently within the allotted time?

Believe it or not, we can accomplish more by saying less. 

Next time you find yourself in this situation, try this … with an intention of giving, focus on how you want your listeners to feel.  Then, during your 30-second time-slot, give them an appetizer – just enough of a taste of you and your gifts to want more.  Keep in mind, the appetizer and the meal are two different experiences.

Have you ever over-eaten so many appetizers (and perhaps cocktails) that you didn’t want the food when it arrived?  If you try to cram everything you could ever possibly want your colleagues to know about you into your introduction, that’s what it will feel like for them.  Not only will they be stuffed, they will likely forget all of it.

Treat your 30-seconds as an invitation to join you later for the meal.

All my best,
Lauri

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