• How do you usually introduce yourself to new business associates?
• What can you do to make a positive and lasting first impression?
• Are introductions different when they happen online or in real life?

Listen to the article first. What is the main idea behind this management tip?

Introduce Yourself with Confidence

Many of us 1. dread the self-introduction, whether it’s in an online meeting or at a boardroom table. The secret to introducing yourself with 2. confidence, in any context, is a simple three-step process: Focus on your present, past, and future.

• Present. Start with a present-tense statement to introduce yourself. Your name and job title is a great place to start. If there’s an 3. opportunity to 4.elaborate, you can also share other details such as a current project, your 5. expertise, or your geographical location.

• Past. Add two or three points that will provide 6.relevant details about your background and 7.credibility. Consider your education, past projects, employers, and 8. accomplishments.

• Future. Demonstrate enthusiasm for what’s ahead. If you’re in a job interview, share your 9. eagerness about potential opportunities at the company. Or, if you’re in a meeting, express interest in what the team is 10. setting out to accomplish.

This tip is adapted from “A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself,” by Andrea Wojnicki

• How do many people feel about self-introductions?
• What should we focus on when we are introducing ourselves to others?
• What can we include in the first step of the introduction?
• What purpose does mentioning our past serve?
• What should we demonstrate when we are focusing on the future?

How would you introduce yourself during a onboarding training in a company you have just joined?