This week in the worldβs #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
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- How to Introduce Yourself
- Building Unforgettable Presence
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How to Introduce Yourself
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Most people get introductions wrong.
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Too stiff. Too long. Too forgettable. π₯±
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Donβt underestimate first impressions like that.
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Hereβs a simple hack to improve your first impression in 1 minute:
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Record yourself introducing yourself in 30 seconds. Watch the 30 seconds.
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Then ask: Would you be interested in meeting this person?
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Would you remember them a day later?
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If not: Rewrite. Rehearse. Refine.
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Want to really stand out?
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Use these 7 strategies to ace your next intro:
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1 - The 5-Second Intro
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Practice this all-purpose 3-part formula:
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Who you are β What you do β Who it helps
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2 - The Networking Pitch
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(h/t Daniel Priestley)
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Use for in-person events or Zoom calls.
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Name
Say it slowly. Own the moment. Smile.
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Same
Say what you do in familiar terms.
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Fame
Share a line of credibility.
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Aim
What are you focused on right now?
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Game
End with your bigger vision.
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3 - Nail Your Non-Verbal
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β Authentic smile (donβt fake it)
β Stand tall and face them directly
β Avoid awkwardness: signal handshake, hug, or wave
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4 - Use Micro-Stories
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Instead of listing titles or credentials, embed a 1-sentence story like:
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βI used to write speeches for government leaders. Now I coach founders on how to own the room.β
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5 - Show Energy, Not Just Expertise
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Most introductions are bloodless. But energy is magnetic.
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If it feels over the top for you, it feels right for the other person.
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6 - Tailor Your Intro To The Room:
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β Boardroom: Lead with credibility and clarity.
β Stage: Start with a story or question.
β Networking: Keep it casual and curiosity-driven.
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7 - Avoid These Mistakes
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β Saying your name too fast.
β Being forgettable: βIβm in marketingβ
β Winging it β first impressions matter!
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π€First impressions matter β and you can ace yours with a few minutes of practice.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Unforgettable Presence
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Lorraine K. Leeβs career grew exponentially and unexpectedly in 2021 when she decided to get more comfortable with public speaking.
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Full of nerves, she spoke whenever and wherever. In a surprising turn of events, speaking became a small side hustle while working in a startup.
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Then she got laid off in 2022 β and decided to become the CEO of her own career. Today, she is a speaker, bestselling author and business influencer.
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In Unforgettable Presence, she doesnβt just teach you how to speak and write better β she shows you how to replace the fluff with clarity, confidence, and kindness.
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She recommends to say goodbye to weak phrases:
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Oops, my mistake (β Thank you for catching it and letting me know.)
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Does this make sense? (β Lmk if you have any questions.)
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Sorry I am late. (β Thanks for your patience.)
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I try to get it done next week (β I will get it done by Tuesday.)
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I feel we should β¦ (β my recommendation is β¦)
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Just wanting to add my 2 cents (β hereβs my point of view)
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Heads-up: Lorraine will be a guest on the Speak Like a CEO podcast soon.
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Have an inspired weekend & be present!
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Best,
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Oliver
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PS: Share this newsletter with your friends & colleagues here.