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Presentation Skills
A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself
by Andrea Wojnicki
August 02, 2022

Bernd Vogel/Getty Images
Summary.   Many of us dread the self-introduction, be it in an online meeting or at the boardroom table. Here is a practical framework you can leverage to introduce...more
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 



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