Being introduced to people is one of the best ways to become part of a community. As a career practitioner, I’m in the business of making hundreds of human connections every year and this article will explore how to make awesome introductions. Over the years I’ve made some great ones, but I’ve arranged some non-starting relationships, too. The ability to communicate is at the core of fostering great connections that will be the foundation of a great personal and/or professional relationship.
How to Make Awesome Introductions
Making awesome introductions requires you to be one part researcher, one part promoter and one part conversation-architect. Here are three tips for making awesome introductions:
1. Know Your Stuff
In person, this looks like: accurately and respectfully acknowledging and describing who both people are.
My former colleague and current friend, Erin Biddlecombe, is exceptional at making in-person introductions. Whether it’s a networking event, a first-time meeting, or a chance encounter in the office, Erin provides important details, such as their full name, field of work or study, and says something cool about each person.
In writing, this looks like: finding the right people to connect.
Making split-second introductions at a networking event is one thing, but a connection made through email or LinkedIn should be thoughtfully planned. Have a clear idea why you’re making this introduction. Are the two people similar in style, personality and/or academic background, or do they work in the same field and should learn more about each other’s’ business? Could one mentor the other for a moment, a month or more? Whatever the case, it’s important to know exactly what these two people should talk about with each other.
2. Ensure Interest and Commitment
In person, this looks like: not leaving anybody hanging.
When you make an introduction at an event, party or after a meeting, stick around to make sure both people are comfortable carrying on the conversation without you. Facilitate where needed.
In writing, this looks like: expressing the importance of the introduction and ensuring that both people are going to follow through with a conversation.
Before making an introduction through email or LinkedIn, each side of the connection needs to know what’s at stake. After all, one of the things at stake is your (the introducer’s) reputation. So, whoever is being introduced (a student, a client, or a friend) needs to understand the importance of following through. If someone asks you to meet a person in your network (for example, a student in my office, Emily, asked to connect with my sister, Kim), it is important to ask Kim if she’s willing to spend some of her time speaking with Emily. It’s equally important to ensure that Emily makes good use of Kim’s time. Ensuring interest in, and commitment to, a conversation and/or relationship is easy when you have the right people talking to each other.
3. Sketch Talking Points
In person, this looks like: outlining common interests and cool topics that can be explored.
During a short-term conversation and/or relationship, like a networking event, this could include food, sports, music, or, if both parties are interested, politics. If the introduction is between colleagues or people in a similar field of work, then the talking points might include projects on which a collaboration could be forged.
In writing, this looks like: exactly the same thing as outlined above.
Be direct and spell it out for each person. For example, when I introduced Emily to Kim I described their mutual interest in public policy as well as their past and, potentially, future experiences in Ottawa. I also outlined questions that they could ask of each other on the subjects of triathlons, international travel, and pumpkin cheesecake.
In an appendix at the end of this article I have provided the email that I sent to Emily and Kim as well as their responses to the introduction.
So, when you connect people from different communities – or invite folks into your own – remember to understand where all parties involved in the conversation are coming from and establish authentic interest in the purpose of the introduction. Most importantly, ensure that everyone will follow through with, at least, a conversation and, at best, a positive and profitable (economically, socially, healthily) relationship.
Remember, every community has grown because of positive introductions that people have made for each other.
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APPENDIX: INTRODUCING KIM AND EMILY
John’s Introduction
Good morning, Favourite Sister (Kim) and Emily.
Kim, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Emily, an International Relations student who is coordinating operations and logistics for UBC’s Imagine Day festivities (it’s like Orientation Week at Bishop’s, but closer to one-day-long and involves 8,000 people instead of 800…). Emily is bi-lingual, has a knack for event management, and is keen to learn more about options for graduate school.
Emily, Kim is my favourite sister and a decorated public servant, whose career has spanned multiple ministries and directorates both federally and provincially. Kim will be able to provide you with a candid analysis of the civil service landscapes in Ottawa and Victoria and she’s always keen to provide young women with sterling career advice, too. In addition to her work with the Ministry of Education, Kim is a (relatively) new mom, has won her age group in the Victoria Triathlon and makes incredibly delicious pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving dinners.
As you both know, I love connecting cool people, so I consider this mission accomplished.
Enjoy the learning, you two!
Have great days and wonderful weeks.
Kind regards,
John
Emily’s Thoughts and Feelings
As a professional in Vancouver, it is often difficult to network with people in Ottawa who are working in the civil service. It is rare for an individual to go out of their way and thoughtfully reflect on a good match for an introduction. This was a good match as the individual had similar 1) interests 2) educational aspirations 3) career paths 4) values to mine. This introduction made me feel relieved, grateful and excited as a student who is new to the concept of networking.
Kim’s Thoughts and Feeling
Regarding the introduction, I would say that it was delightfully entertaining because it was mostly accurate, but somehow managed to make me feel more important and accomplished than I actually am [Editor’s/Brother’s note: she is being modest]. As for the inaccuracies, there is nothing wrong with a few harmless little embellishments (e.g. “The Victoria Triathlon” isn’t technically a thing, but I did win my age group at a Victoria swim, cycle, run race two years ago), as such things add unpretentiousness, fun and an element of mystery to the conversation…again it helps me look awesomer than I really am. Yes, I just used the word awesomer.