If you find yourself at a business network meeting or a party where strangers surround you, don’t be unnerved. Take a couple of deep breaths before entering, give yourself a short pep talk and tell your-self that you feel fine, composed, properly dressed and as attractive as everyone else in the room. Tell your-self-you have as much to offer conversationally as they do.
Thus pumped up, you can enter the room with head held high and a big smile on your face. When you enter, scan the room to find two or three people who are chatting affably. Walk up to that group, wait for a break in the conversation, then put out your hand to the person nearest you and introduce yourself. (You have a wonderful smile on your face, of course.)
“I’m Sue Smith from Health Rite Systems in Dallas. I don’t know anyone in this room, and I thought you looked like the most intelligent and friendly people here. Maybe you’d be kind enough to talk to me.”
The group will laugh and most likely quickly introduce themselves, get you a drink and introduce you around to several others. They may even keep tabs on you during the networking event to make sure you’re not left alone.
When you admit you’re in a vulnerable position and feeling rather shy, it’s human nature for others to adopt you and help you out. Just keep your sense of humor while confessing you lack of ease. Give the impression that you’re anything but shy.
By: Letitia Baldrige – Executive Advantage (Georgetown Publishing House)