How to Introduce People
February 10th, 2008This cast explains how to introduce one person to another in social and business settings.
We surprised some of our members a couple of years ago when we included podcasts on how to attend a party, and how to introduce oneself to someone else. Some saw this as “etiquette”, which the modern business world had, in a sense, done away with. And certainly the world of commerce has changed how people interact, making much of our lives less formal than perhaps they were before.
But at the same time, we’ve also noticed that the blurring of work and family time means more of us are exposed, AT WORK, to situations that call on basic rules of social courtesy. Those managers who do well in these situations are seen as more polished and as better communicators - in short, better future executives.
So, don’t think of this cast as one about “etiquette”. It’s not. It’s about courtesy … and getting promoted.
Members-Only 
Premium 
Interviewing Series
Stumble it!Trackback URL for this post: http://www.manager-tools.com/2008/02/how-to-introduce-people/trackback/
February 11th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Will practice with a pleasure!
Love it!!!
No doubt, video could be helpful.
Greetings from Poland,
Paul
February 11th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Yet ANOTHER “small” thing I didn’t know I could do better! Thanks. And a great piece of timing: I listened to it on the way in this morning, and found the opportunity to try it out at a breakfast reception. I found it easy to easy and natural to use.
One of my findings – and I’m not sure if you guys will agree – there’s a natural tendency to face the person as you say his name. So – you’re facing AWAY FROM the person for who’s benefit you’re saying the name! Let me see if I can describe this: I say to the first person “John, I’d like to introduce you to Charlie McFarlane” and as I said Charlie’s name, I found myself naturally turning to Charlie. And in a noisy reception room, that made it a little harder for John to hear the name of the person I was introducing him to!
I hope this observation makes sense – it’s a bit subtle. But try to say the person’s name loud enough and directly enough to the person you’re introducing him to so he hears it. Don’t turn away as you’re saying the most important piece of information – the name!
Best wishes,
-Hugh
February 11th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Hugh-
Thanks for the comments. I realize now we didn’t make that as clear as we could have - you’re right!
Mark
February 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I love premium content. It’s great to see that Mike’s actually scripted to say “Lookit.”
Seriously though, having a transcript of the shows allows google search to find content in individual casts. Great innovation!
February 11th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Excellent cast. Very clear description even without video.
Question: While I haven’t used this exact process, I find that many of those I’m introducing will interrupt my introduction and introduce themselves before I get to the second part of the introduction. It’s like they can’t wait until I finish because they’re staring at each other and it’s comfortable.
Any feedback?
Jim
February 11th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Jim-
Let them. The purpose of an introduction is to help two people meet each other. While their interruption might technically be considered a faux pas, the only thing worse would be to attempt to thwart the faux pas while hindering the whole reason for the interaction in the first place.
This reminds me of the carrying to extremes of grammar brilliantly expressed by Churchill ( I am aware of the arguments against this provenance, but find them overly precise), expounding on prepositions: “This is the sort of English up with which I will not put.”
Mark
February 12th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Hi,
For the last one week I am not able to open the podcasts. It gives me an error saying “Error Opening File”. Could you kindly suggest possible solutions?
Thanks
Jacob
February 12th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Jacob,
Typically, the problem is a bad download in your browser cache. If you clear your browser cache, you should be fine. If you are trying to access from work, it is possible that your network folks have restricted access to our hosting site in an attempt to manage network bandwidth. It doesn’t happen often, but it has happened to several folks. If that is the case, you may wish talking to them about removing the restriction. If they are unwilling to do that, send me a private email and we’ll figure out a way to give you alternative access.
regards,
Mike
February 13th, 2008 at 9:01 am
What happens if you can’t recall the name of the person you want to introduce?
Is it good to ask for the name?
If so, when is the best time to ask for the name, before or during the introduction process?
This may sound funny, but it happened to me that I ran into an old acquaintance of mine while taking a walk with a friend. With the rush of the situation, the surprise moment, etc. I simply couldn’t recall the acquaintance’s name. I left my friend and the old acquaintance un-introduced, making them and myself feel very uncomfortable.
Thanks
Andreas
February 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Hi - you mentioned in this episode that you had previously released a podcast on how to introduce yourself… Could you point me to which episode contains this important bit of knowledge (I can’t seem to find it with the search tool).
Regards,
Ron
February 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Andreas-
Use my favorite name and introduction technique: simply ask.
You can ask either after you’ve started - once you’ve said the “senior” person’s name, turn to the junior and ask - or before you say the senior’s name.
Allie, do you know… please forgive me but I have forgotten your name! …do you know Noah Calhoun?”
Or, I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name. Noah? Okay. Allie, do you know Noah Calhoun? Noah, this is Allie Nelson.”
Either way is completely fine.
Mark
February 13th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Thank you Mark!
I appreciate your work here a lot!
@rjholohan: There are two members-only podcasts that partly talk about how to introduce yourself:
1. http://www.manager-tools.com/2005/12/december-2005-member-only-podcast/
2. http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/10/interviews-the-introduction/
Andreas
February 13th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I just started listening to your pods and I’m listening to the second feedback pod. Great information. I am already sharing this with my direct reports so they in turn can share witih their direct reports. Where do I find the one on one tracking form? Thanks again for a great job!
February 14th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Thanks, ali_alm … you’ll find the 1-on-1 form here: http://www.manager-tools.com/podcasts/Manager-Tools_One_on_One_Basics.doc
Regards,
Mike
February 14th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
There’s another nice facet to this intro technique: most people forget names from time to time. So when you say, “Patti, do you know Fred Smith?” you are often helping folks who may have met last year at an offsite but have forgotten each other’s names. Your intro has saved them the awkward “I forgot your name…”
John
March 1st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Hi guys - GRRREAAAT job! Having just completed 45 years of consulting Internationally ( even though I am still abroad) I can confess to a weakness and a - well really my personal - work-around.
At most parties and other meeting events my wife and I were together. I can remember faces, events, locations, discussions, etc. BUT NO NAMES. My wife comes to the rescue: SHE remembers the names after she has heard the occasion when we met. Well, it works for us.
Keep up the good work.
muffelputz
March 1st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
John-
Sorry this took me so long….BRILLIANT catch. We had hoped someone would get that one.
My mother would be proud of you. And she’s not even proud of ME!
Mark
June 30th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I used this method today and it worked very well. It felt a little formal, but sounded professional. Thanks guys.