Jeremy Kaplan
By nature, you only get one true first impression. It’s important to start off on the right foot, especially in professional settings. The relationships you develop here will influence your career trajectory and day-to-day experience in the workplace. The same principle applies in higher education, as classmates and professors have the potential to become invaluable resources.
You can be reasonably certain you’ll be expected to “break the ice” regularly throughout your life. Learning more about the art of effective introductions ahead of time can help you plan what to say and how to say it—cementing your first impression as calm, cool and collected.
Here are some guidelines to consider.
Individual or Small Group Introductions
Introductions are a give-and-take interaction. If you focus too much on delivering your credentials at the expense of listening to others’, you’ll come off as conceited and miss out on valuable reciprocal information. If you get too caught up in memorizing others’ personal information, you risk establishing a one-sided connection.
A truly effective introduction requires understanding your audience. Context is key. Consider how much information is necessary to convey who you really are without overwhelming or underwhelming your audience. Find a comfortable middle ground between telling your life story and offering so little information that others question your identity or forget about you instantly.
Let’s say it’s your first day on the job and you see three people approaching the waiting room where you’re currently seated. What should you do to nail your first round of introductions? Put these tips into practice:
- Always stand up: Greeting newcomers from a seated position or over a piece of furniture is awkward and even rude.
- Lead with your name: Start with your name and add a relevant fact or phrase.
- Extend your hand: A firm, comfortable handshake conveys confidence and ease.
- Initiate the introduction: Never wait for someone else to introduce themselves; be proactive and take the initiative.
Large Group Introductions
Sometimes you’ll be tasked with introducing yourself to a larger group, like on the first day of a new course or during a breakout session. How you approach this exercise depends on a few factors. If the organizers have icebreaker questions ready to go as part of their presentation, you’ll be guided through introductions. Utilizing electronic icebreaker prompts tends to help introductions unfold naturally.
But other times you’ll find yourself standing in the figurative spotlight with dozens of expectant eyes on you. Besides the staples like your name and title, what should you include? Before you even enter the room, settle on a unique characteristic, talent or anecdote to share. That way, when the pressure is on, you won’t draw a blank. While group members may not remember details like your full name and position, they’ll likely remember your “fun fact.” Thus, it will serve as a jumping-off point for further conversation down the line.
Introductions in Writing
As the prevalence of electronic communication rises, more and more introductions occur without those involved being in the same place. If it hasn’t already, a time will come when you first “meet” someone in writing. Start with an informative subject line that will alert the recipient to your identity. Begin your message with “Dear” in formal or ambiguous situations. The body of your message should contain a carefully tailored message with high relevance to the recipient. Upon reaching the end of the email, they should have no question in their minds as to why you reached out to them. Sign off with an appreciative closing for the best results.
In order to break the ice, give some thought to the art of effective introductions ahead of time.
