How to Influence Anyone, Anywhere, Every Time

CHAPTER 5PHASE TWO — CONNECTION

The first four steps established the context. We now move to building connection.

Step 5: Self‐intro

Self‐intro is about two things: credibility and connection

In many communication contexts, your audience will already know you: for example, having a team ops meeting, a performance conversation or presenting to a group you work with. They know who you are. They know your name.

So, is Step 5 necessary in all communication contexts? In a word, yes.

Self‐intro is not about your name. It's about establishing or deepening your credibility and building a connection with your audience.

Log onto a Zoom meeting or MS Teams call and, of course, you are doing the social ‘how are you?’ stuff. Your name is right there on the screen or you might be introduced by someone.

So, why do we still need to do the self‐intro step, and why is it so late in the process? Some people think it's rude not to introduce themselves earlier.

Remember it is always, always about the audience. And, in particular, the audience experience.

The start strong, relevance, concept and FODs flow builds interest and curiosity, and keeps the audience hooked as they gradually understand the context. Because you are doing this, you are demonstrating your competence and credibility without having to give a CV or title.

Watch any TED talk. The speaker never introduces themselves first. In ...