Saying "nice to meet you" is risky if you've previously met someone, creating an embarrassing situation. The phrase "great to see you" works whether it's your first or fifth meeting, gracefully avoiding the potential awkwardness of forgetting a prior interaction.
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Reframe your networking requests. Asking for a "referral" implies a strong endorsement and makes people uncomfortable. Asking for an "introduction" is a lower-stakes request that is much easier for your contacts to fulfill, dramatically increasing your chances of success.
A "callback" is a reference to a point made earlier in a conversation. It's a powerful tool for building rapport because it proves you were actively listening and retaining information, not just hearing words. It signals high engagement and cleverness.
Direct questions in sales or leadership can feel confrontational. Prefacing them with 'I'm curious...' completely changes the dynamic from an interrogation to a collaborative effort to understand. This simple linguistic shift builds trust, encourages openness, and turns transactions into lasting relationships.
Instead of rushing to fill a quiet moment with a pitch, deploy the phrase "I'm so curious about..." to prompt the buyer. This simple, disarming line invites them to elaborate on a point, turning a potentially awkward pause into an opportunity for a more natural, flowing conversation and deeper discovery.
Proper etiquette isn't just about politeness; it's a practical skill for managing stress and projecting calm confidence in high-stakes environments. This mindset helps you appear more trustworthy and approachable, preventing you from seeming desperate or transactional.
If you forget someone's name, introduce your companion to them first. For example, say, "Jessica, I want to introduce you..." and gesture towards the person. This social cue prompts the other person to state their name, saving you from embarrassment.
If your natural communication style can be misconstrued (e.g., direct, quiet, transactional), preface interactions by explicitly stating it. For example, "I tend to go straight to action mode." This provides crucial context, manages others' perceptions, and gives you permission to be authentic.
This cold call opener manufactures a sense of familiarity and social proof, even if the prospect has never heard of you. The psychological trick is to make them feel like they should have, increasing their willingness to listen to your pitch.
Instead of answering 'What do you do?' with just a job title, create opportunities for serendipity by offering multiple 'hooks'—mentioning a hobby, a side project, or a recent interest. This gives the other person several potential points of connection, dramatically increasing the chances of an unexpected, valuable interaction.
Deflecting a compliment is like rejecting a gift and can signal low self-worth. Instead of immediately brushing it off or returning it, which can feel insincere, simply pause to absorb it and say, "Thank you, I really receive that." This demonstrates confidence and grace.
