A Fix for the Dreaded Self-Introduction

Here it is: a simple, highly effective framework to INTRODUCE YOURSELF with confidence!

Let me introduce myself!

(Bear with me…..there’s a reason I’m doing this.)

I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki - please call me Andrea.  I’m a communication coach at Talk About Talk.  My expertise, my obsession, is “communication.”  My doctoral research focused on why you said what you said.  I live and work in Toronto Canada where I coach ambitious executives all over the world.  I’m really excited to get to know you and help you elevate your communication skills!

There you go. 

A short, 1-paragraph self-introduction that follows a simple 3-step framework. 

When I shared this self-introduction framework on the Talk About Talk podcast, it quickly became the #1 most downloaded episode - and it still is! It's also a Harvard Business Review article.

There's a reason this framework is so popular. It addresses a common, angst-filled challenge we often face: how to effectively introduce ourselves. And it does so in just three simple steps!

What are the 3 steps?

The three steps are:  

1. PRESENT   
2. PAST   
3. FUTURE

That’s it! 

Please note these are not in chronological order. There's a reason for that.

1. PRESENT:  Briefly state who you are and what you do. This isn't just about your job title - although it could be! Share you name, then your title, your role, your passion, your current project,... anything that's relevant and PRESENT TENSE.

I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki - please call me Andrea.  I’m a communication coach at Talk About Talk.  My expertise, well, really, my obsession, is “communication.”  

2. PAST:  Share 2-3 points that are relevant to the person and the context.  This is your opportunity to establish credibility. You're letting people know why you're there and how your experience is relevant to the meeting, the presentation, or the conversation.

My doctoral research focused on why you said what you said.  I live and work in Toronto Canada where I coach ambitious executives all over the world. 

3. FUTURE:  Demonstrate enthusiasm about what’s coming up, ideally something related to the people you’re meeting.  If you're projecting positive energy to the other people, they'll be more inclined to mirror it back to you, and you're off to the races!

I’m really excited to get to know you and help you elevate your communication skills!

3 reasons why this self-introduction framework works so well:

1. It’s memorable - 3 simple steps.
2. It’s customizable - it’s a framework, not a script. You can use it in professional and personal contexts.
3. It provides you with confidence - you can focus on what other people are saying instead of ruminating about what you should say!

Confidence is key

The reason I’m such a big fan of frameworks like this is because they allow you to focus on what matters - in this case, the conversation in the room.  It also fuels your confidence, because you know what you want to say.

It helps to have a few key themes in mind to say about yourself so that you can choose which 2-3 traits to share in step 2 (PAST), depending on the context and the audience. 

Yes, this is about PERSONAL BRANDING (my other obsession!). 

What makes you unique?

Ask yourself, “What unique themes can I share about myself?”

Depending on the context, a few of the themes that come up frequently for me include:

• my obsession with communication
• my Harvard doctoral degree (a.k.a “the H bomb")
• my energy and enthusiasm (in my writing, this comes out as exclamation marks!)
• I’m Canadian
• I’m a painter and I love the colour turquoise

Here’s Your Homework

This newsletter has homework? 

Yup.  I promised you'd have things you could implement right away!

It’s super easy and it comes with immediate benefits (unlike my organic chemistry homework in high school.) 

• Write the words PRESENT - PAST - FUTURE on a small sheet of paper. Stick it to your laptop or your desk.
• The next time someone says "let's go around the screen (or the room) and introduce yourselves," practice using the 3-point self-introduction framework.

Let me know how it goes!

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Talk soon!

Andrea

Dr. Andrea Wojnicki is a Harvard-educated executive communication coach. She founded "Talk About Talk" to help ambitious executives communicate with confidence and clarity. Focusing on topics such as personal branding, overcoming imposter syndrome, listening, demonstrating leadership and formal presentation skills, Andrea provides 1:1 coaching, workshops, keynote speeches, online courses, and the Talk About Talk podcast, with over 125 episodes and counting.