How to Introduce Yourself

A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself

by Andrea Wojnicki
Harvard Business Review | Originally published August 02, 2022

You know the scenario. It could be in an online meeting, or perhaps you are seated around a boardroom table. The meeting leader asks everyone to briefly introduce themselves. Suddenly, your brain goes into hyperdrive. What should I say about myself?

You start ruminating about previous self-introductions when you got tongue-tied, when you forgot to mention something important, or worse, when you rambled on for too long. Then, you realize you’re not listening to what the others are sharing. If there was a quiz on everyone’s name, you would fail.

The stress associated with introducing yourself is common and not without warrant. Everyone’s eyes and ears are on you. It’s easy to mess up. On the other hand, self-introductions are the most direct way to reinforce your desired personal brand. And they can be easy to do.

The secret is using a simple framework: Present, past, and future.

Present

Start with a present-tense statement to introduce yourself:

Hi, I’m Ashley and I’m a software engineer. My current focus is optimizing customer experience.

Nice to meet you all. My name is Michael and I’m the creative director. I work in the Brooklyn office.

Of course, what you share will depend on the situation and on the audience. If you are not sure what to share, your name and job title is a great place to start. If there’s an opportunity to elaborate, you can also share other details such as a current project, your expertise, or your geographical location.

Past

The second part of your introduction is past tense. This is where you can add two or three points that will provide people with relevant details about your background. It is also your opportunity to establish credibility. Consider your education and other credentials, past projects, employers, and accomplishments…[MORE]

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To read the entire article by Andrea Wojnicki at The Harvard Business Review, visit: A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself