Do you dread the self-introduction?

You know the scenario. You’re sitting around a boardroom table or in a virtual meeting, and the meeting leader says, “Let’s all go around and INTRODUCE ourselves.”

How do you react?

Does your brain go into hyperdrive?

What should I say?
How long should I talk?
Should I mention something personal?…

You’re not alone! Many of my coaching clients and workshop participants admit they dread introducing themselves.

This week we’re re-releasing the #1 MOST DOWNLOADED Talk About Talk episode of all time: the 3-point self-introduction framework.

Why is this episode so popular? Three reasons:

It addresses an important and stressful challenge! Introducing ourselves may be the most direct way to reinforce our personal brand
Introducing ourselves is a frequent, common challenge that many of is find ourselves in, sometimes several times a day.
This framework is easy to memorize, and it works!

If you haven’t listened to or watched this episode before, I hope you’ll do so now. If you’ve already listened to this episode, here’s your refresher!

3 things to Talk About this week:

1. The 3-Point Self-Introduction Framework
2. 4 Tips for for Effective Self-Introductions
3. Impactful Summer Reading

1️⃣ The 3-Point Self-Introduction Framework

Here it is. A simple, customizable framework to help you nail your self-introduction in any context:

1. Present

Establish who you are
Highlight your expertise or passion

“Hello, my name is Andrea Wojnicki, and I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk. My expertise, my passion, is communication.”

2. Past

Highlight relevant experience
Establish credibility

“Before I started Talk About Talk, I earned my doctorate from Harvard Business School, where my dissertation research focused on interpersonal communication. I also taught in the MBA program at the University of Toronto.”

3. Future

Focus on the immediate future
Express enthusiasm for what’s next

“I’m excited to share my 3-point self-introduction framework with you and help you learn to introduce yourself with confidence!”

2️⃣ 4 Tips for Effective Self-Introductions

Using the Present-Past-Future framework is the first step to an effective self-introduction. But WHAT you say and HOW you say it can make a big difference. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Here are four things to keep in mind to help you determine what to share within the framework:

Enthusiasm – Expressions of enthusiasm lead to positive outcomes. So smile, make eye contact, and be enthusiastic about why you’re there and the work you’re about to do.

Context – Consider your environment and the people to whom you are introducing yourself. A business meeting probably isn’t the best context for sharing your great passion for snorkelling, just as book club isn’t the time to get into that highly technical, industry-specific project you’re leading at work.

Precision – As I’ve said before, the most generous communicators are those who use the fewest words. Don’t rambles on. Keep it short and sweet!

Personal Brand – Introducing yourself is an opportunity to reinforce your unique superpowers and expertise, so ask yourself how you want to be thought of when you’re not in the room.

3️⃣ Impactful Summer Reading

What’s the most impactful, thought-provoking, or affecting thing you’ve read so far this summer? Maybe it’s a memoir of someone you admire, a work of fiction, or even a short blog post.

Recently I read a New York Times article about “fitfluencers” – fitness influencers who share fitness-related content on social media.

This article resonated with me so strongly that I decided to submit it to Pocket’s July 2023 collection.

As this article outlines, much of the content promoted by fitfluencers is not evidence-based, and can often be harmful to our mental and/or physical health. It’s an incredibly important topic that we should all be aware of, and I encourage you to read the article to learn what the experts advise.

There you go – 3 things to Talk About this week:
1️⃣ The 3-Point Self-Introduction Framework
2️⃣ 4 Tips for Effective Self-Introductions
3️⃣ I mpactful Summer Reading

Are you ready to put the 3-point self-introduction framework into practice? Please email me or message me on LinkedIn to let me know how it goes. I’d also love to hear what’s on your summer reading list!

Talk soon,