Have you ever received some advice, but it didn't really "click" or resonate with you until many years down the road? When
I was a teenager, and I'd be getting ready to head out with my friends,
as I'd get to the door to leave my father would always say, "Remember
who you are!". At the time, as a naive yet typical teenager who
thought she knew everything, I'd always think to myself that it was
such a weird thing to say - of course I'd remember who I was! How
could I forget? I know who I am! I'm Barbara!
It
wasn't until many years later, when I became an adult, that I really
understood the meaning behind those words, "remember who you are". I
realized that my father wasn't telling me to remember my NAME, but to remember who I am as a person.
What he was trying to advise me at the time, very gently, was to
remember who I am as a person, and to be true to it. That, no matter
what activities I'd be up to that evening, no matter whose company I
was spending time in, that it was important for me to be true to myself
- and to not stray from that - ever.
As
I've grown older, I think that is actually the best advice I've ever
received. It's great advice for a teenager, but I'm also seeing how
applying it to my adult self has done great things for me both
personally and professionally.
Reflecting
on this advice of "remember who you are" recently, I also realized this
is SO important when making a first introduction. There are many
reasons for that; allow me to explain.
You are more relaxed. When
meeting someone for the very first time, if you just remember to be
yourself, you'll automatically relax a bit and enjoy the introduction
more. Plus, if you're attending a networking function where you're
meeting a lot of people at once or giving your elevator pitch to an
entire room of people, you'll feel more at ease. Showing up as
yourself is key!
You'll make a better first impression. We've
all heard the saying, "you never get a second chance to make a good
first impression". If you are true to yourself, you'll never have to
worry about whether or not you've made a good first impression.
No one likes a phony. Have
you ever met someone briefly, and then when you've seen them again or
chosen them to do business with, that sometimes it seems they are NOT
the person you first met? No one wants to meet a "character" or "fake"
persona - they want to connect with a real person. Faking a happy or
false personality will cause more damage in the long run. If people
connected with you in that first introduction, and see that they have
not met the real person behind who you are and what you do, you run the
risk of losing them as a customer.
You'll build better relationships.
People like to do business with people they know, like and trust. That
starts at the very beginning, from that first handshake and hello. If
people can identify and figure out exactly what type of person you are
from that first impression, you'll have much more success in building a
better relationship. Even if someone chooses not to do business with
you for whatever reason, they'll still LIKE you and you can go on to
have a great relationship with them regardless.
Next
time you get nervous or anxious at a networking function or when
meeting someone for the first time, remember those four little words:
Remember who you are. Simple advice that can have a huge impact on who
you are, how you do business, and how you "show up" in the world.
© 2008 Brightfarm Introductions
Would you like to use this fresh tip for your newsletter or website? You absolutely can, as long as you use this complete blurb along with it: Barbara Lopez, "The Elevator Pitch Coach" with Brightfarm Introductions, helps business professionals introduce themselves with high impact. Everything in business starts with an introduction. If you're ready to learn how to introduce yourself and your business professionally and comfortably, visit Barbara at www.brightfarm.com.
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