This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- Kill "Please Introduce Yourself": 3 Ways to Kick Off Group Events
- Webinar: Speaking with Authority
- The Power of Listening (and What Most Leaders Miss)
- Never Win An Argument
Kill "Please Introduce Yourself": 3 Ways to Kick Off Group Events
We've all been there: the awkwardness of group introductions.
You're in a room full of people, and the host says, "Okay, everyone, please introduce yourself."
There are 3 problems with this approach: it's boring, takes too long and for many it's a moment of dread.
As a host, you have the power to transform this experience and facilitate genuine connection.
Here are a couple of effective approaches that go beyond the typical, stilted introductions to build rapport fast and get past the small talk:
1. The Host-Driven Introduction
Instead of putting the burden entirely on attendees, take the initiative to introduce them. This requires a bit more effort and preparation, but the impact is significant.
- Before the event, gather some key information about each participant – their name, what they do, and perhaps a unique or interesting detail.
- During the introduction, the host shares a concise, engaging snippet about each person, demonstrating that they've thoughtfully curated the event and truly knows their guests.
- Consider connecting people with shared interests or goals throughout the event, facilitating meaningful conversations.
Why this works:
- It alleviates the pressure on attendees to self-promote.
- It ensures that everyone is presented in their best light.
- It creates a sense of exclusivity and thoughtfulness.
- It empowers the host to create targeted introductions like "you two need to talk about..."
2. Themed Introductions
Another way to add structure and spark interest is to introduce a specific theme or constraint for the introductions.
- Avoid open-ended introductions – they take too long.
- Instead, provide attendees with a clear framework like "in 30 seconds, please share your name, your role, where you're based, and your favorite book/movie/travel destination."
- The key is to include a personal element that's easy to share and serves as a natural conversation starter.
Why this works:
- It keeps introductions concise and focused.
- It adds a personal touch that can break the ice.
- It levels the playing field by giving everyone the same guidelines.
- It reduces anxiety by providing a clear format.
3. High-Low-Good to Know
To add a personal element to introductions and make small talk more engaging, consider using the "High-Low-Good to know" framework:
- High: Share something you are proud of.
- Low: Share something you struggle with.
- Good to know: Share a random fact about yourself.
This framework instantly provides three topics for starting an interesting conversation and helps people connect on a more personal level.
Key Takeaway
The way a group is introduced sets the tone for the entire event.
Ditch the generic and boring "please introduce yourself" and instead opt for a more intentional, engaging approach that fosters connection.
This helps people quickly move beyond small talk.
WEBINAR
Speaking with Authority
Last week, I hosted a webinar on "How to Speak with Clarity Under Pressure". I shared my step-by-step BMW method, which has helped hundreds of leaders to:
- Overcome nervousness
- Speak with impact on stage and in interviews
- Move their teams to action
You can watch the recording of the webinar here.
PODCAST
The Power of Listening (and What Most Leaders Miss)
I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator. You should subscribe.
Oscar Trimboli is one of the world’s leading experts in a skill that's criminally underrated: listening.
We all think we're good at it, right? The award-winning author of How to Listen drops a truth bomb: most of us are way off.
Here's what we unpacked:
- Hearing vs. Listening: It's not just about absorbing words. Listening demands action. (Oscar's example about CEOs and employee surveys is eye-opening.)
- The Power Differential: Listening shifts based on who you're talking to. (How do you listen to your boss vs. a teammate? Totally different.)
- The Mind-Changing Game: True listening means being open to having your mind changed. (Something we desperately need more of, especially in today's climate.)
- The Right Questions: Oscar shares killer questions like "Tell me more," "What else?" and the power of... silence.
- The Speed Mismatch: We speak at 125 words per minute, but our brains process at 900! (This explains why our minds wander, and Oscar gives you strategies to stay focused.)
- Practical Listening Hacks: Oscar's tips on managing your state, ditching device distractions, and facilitating group discussions are game-changers.
My favorite takeaway? Oscar's emphasis on listening to what's not being said. That's where the real insights are.
Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Never Win An Argument
This will be one of my books of 2025 for sure: The Next Conversation. Argue Less, Talk More by Jefferson Fisher.
Fisher is a US attorney whose true family passion isn't law but communication.
No stranger to real-life courtroom drama, he has to deal with lots of disagreement and potential conflict (“You can’t handle the truth!”).
And that's what the book's focus is: How to navigate difficult, high-stakes conversations with grace and turn conflict into connection.
4 key insights:
- Never win an argument. It's a trap. When you tell someone that they are wrong, they become more convinced that they are right.
- A debate shouldn't be about who's right but about pursuing truth. That way you turn conflict into connection. It paves the way for a more fulfilling meaningful life.
- Your conversations need goals. Too often we go into conversations without having a clear goal in mind. Fisher suggests that we have something to learn, not something to prove as our main goal.
- Your conversations need values. Once we align our communication with our values, we increase the likelihood of reaching our goal. He suggests gratitude as our guiding value.
I am grateful that I get to share these ideas with you!
Have an inspired weekend!
Oliver
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