Effective introductions

© Can Stock Photo / EastWestImaging

A good introduction is one of the most powerful tools in a conversation. It conveys a wealth of information about someone in a short span. It gives a sort of permission that is sometimes needed to approach someone. It dispels awkwardness, and ultimately, can be the difference between a steadfast member of your IPC, and someone you never see again. Above all, it's the polite thing to do.

Introductions make everyone accessible, especially if there is a preponderance of club regulars in your event or social meeting. Without introductions, new people are left to either sink or swim amid unfamiliar personalities. This is never a good feeling. Extroverted folks can usually make their own introductions and inject themselves into conversations, but even this tends to be awkward and time consuming at first. A well delivered introduction quickly breaks the ice for new people, gives everybody perspective about each other and allows everyone hooks for conversation.

A well delivered introduction

A good introduction should contain these elements:

• Some knowledge of everyone involved. Talk to your club leadership to find out some information about everyone. If you’re a club leader, you should have some working knowledge of folks in your IPC.
• Eye contact, and open and relaxed body language. Eye contact is essential to communication, and welcoming body language puts everyone at ease.
• Names of all involved. Use names that preferred over proper names. For example, if Thomas prefers 'Tom,' then use Tom.  Also, know everyone’s preferred pronouns, if there are non-binary gender folks in the social. I’ll talk more about this later.
• Personal conversation hooks that everyone can relate to. If you cannot find relatable hooks, then throw out some interesting tidbits about the people you’re introducing, but never get too personal. Some good hooks might involve professional or hobby interests, or home state, region or country. Actively avoid using politics, religion, age and health as hooks.

If you’re introducing new folks, be sure to also make a good impression as a host. Lapses in manners on your part can unintentionally stick to the people whom you’re introducing. Be polite, and if you’re introducing new people to regulars having a conversation, make sure to time your entrance at an unobtrusive moment. If the occasion warrants, introduce by professional rank. For example, if someone in the conversation circle is a company president, or firm principal, then they should be introduced first, and then in order if possible.

If you have  members that identify as gender neutral or non-binary, then ask for their preferred pronoun and use it in your introduction as a way of communicating this preference to other club members. For example, John Doe is non-binary and prefers that folks use them, they, their as pronouns. As a host, you can introduce John in this way, “I would like to introduce John. They're very excited to meet you…” If John is with someone who identifies as a binary gender, then you can say “I would like to introduce John and their partner, Jane.”

A well delivered introduction should result in allowing unfamiliar people to be more approachable and ready to converse at your social event. After the introduction is made, it’s up to the new folks to stand on their own feet, conversationally.

Resources for making introductions

Personality Tutor.com, “How To Introduce People”  

Verywell, “How to Introduce People”  

CIO, “Social Networking Etiquette: How to Introduce Yourselfand Others Politely” 

Storyline, “A Better Way to Introduce Your Friends at Parties”