Watching the beginning of Wheel of Fortune has always bothered me. as Pat Sajak introduces each contestant, they are all given a few moments to tell us more about themselves. What follows is a string of formulaic responses from each contestant. The woman’s introduction typically sounds like this: Hi, my name is Nancy. I have a wonderful husband, bill, and two great children, Sally and bill Jr., and I work part-time as a nurse. The man’s typically sounds like this: Hi, my name is Joe. I am a certified public accountant. I have two children, Nathan and Sarah, and I’ve been married to my beautiful wife, Mary, for fifteen years. I realize that I tend to overanalyze obscure tendencies in human communication, but the truth is that these responses are more than just typical. When given the opportunity to present themselves for the first time, everyone gravitates to the formula of vaguely describing their family and their job. Picture yourself standing next to Pat Sajak. now it’s your turn to introduce yourself to the audience and the rest of America watching the show. how would you sum up who you are in the limited time you have? Would you rely on the same formula the previous contestants used or find a new way to share who you really are? The lack of a powerful introduction cuts more than skin deep, it is a symptom of a much larger issue; an issue, which, when addressed, can powerfully change the impact you have inside of your circle of influence. Addressing this issue will not only help you become a star performer in your company and community, but will guide you in your discovery of who you are. The true issue is this: What defines you?
Take a good look at your life. Dig past the name of your spouse, how many children you have and where you work. Find the core of who you are and the life you have chosen to live. ask yourself: why do I love what I do? What am I passionate about? What is my one burning desire? how do I secretly wish I could change this world? many people don’t take the necessary time to ask themselves these important questions. They’re not sure what defines them and, therefore, have no idea how to present who they are to others. taking the time to get to know who you are and what makes you tick will give you a deeper understanding of yourself and will provide you with a strong platform to introduce that self to others. often, we feel limited to formulaic introductions because that is what other people are expecting to hear. We’re intimidated to step outside of our comfort zone, exposing who we really are and maybe looking silly or vulnerable. Yet, it is this small step that offers others something substantial to connect with and feel comfortable enough to show us who they are.
If your introduction is shallow, the connection you form with others will be equally shallow. however, if you take the opportunity to share something unique and personal about yourself, others will feel like they are truly getting to know you. They will be more likely to remember who you are, listen to what you say, and want to learn more about you. whether you are on the set of Wheel of Fortune, sitting at a networking event, or standing in the boardroom for a sales presentation, make the most of that short minute you have to introduce yourself. Dig a little deeper and use the opportunity to give an introduction that will give a brief glimpse of who you really are. this is the revealing moment that will help you really connect with people, which, in essence, is the foundation of all business and life.
