Moving forward

Introductions jump-start all of our conversations. When done well, we effectively express our core values and life’s work and, in doing so, open ourselves to a variety of new connections and professional possibilities. When delivered poorly, conversations can fizzle just as quickly as they begin. Whether you’re a college student, artist, entrepreneur, corporate employee, or creative professional looking to make an even deeper impact through your work, or trying to move through the ranks at your company and make meaningful contributions along the way, this book is for you.

Introductions jump-start all of our conversations.

What to expect:

Key questions, tips, and strategies for getting to the core of who you are

• An actionable six-step process to structure your responses across a range of conversations

• Case studies, interviews with, and profiles of artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives

• Practice scenarios to help you apply what you’ve learned throughout the book

What you’ll need:

• Assorted color sticky notes (for working through activities and prompts)

• Oratory Glory storyboard (to map out your introductions)

• Your favorite pen(s) or pencil(s)—feel free to pull out all the colors!

• A journal to keep track of notes and reflections

• A smartphone or photo/video recording device (for activities and practice)

• A timer or stopwatch

• Support—The effort you put into this action guide is exactly what you’ll get out of it. I encourage you to gather a crew of friends or colleagues you can rely on to hold you accountable through the process. It’s definitely doable alone but even better when you have a strong group to practice alongside.

How to use this guide:

• Take small steps. For the sake of efficiency and accountability, each activity in the guide includes a time limit for preparation and completion. Review and complete one step at a time. If you get stuck, use the tips, strategies, and examples provided to get back on track.

• Honor your time. Don’t attempt to breeze through the action guide in one sitting. Make sure you give yourself room to take notes, practice, bounce ideas off of friends, and reflect on possible changes.

• Go easy on yourself. Some of the questions may be challenging. Be patient and give yourself the space and reflection time you need to figure out the best answers for you.

• Keep it real. The goal is to walk away with an introduction that feels authentic to you. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and honest with yourself along the way.

• Show your work. Use the storyboard on pages 34 and 35 to brainstorm and structure your responses. If you’re working on multiple conversations, use one storyboard for each one. You can download your own storyboard at oratoryglory.com/TMAY-storyboard.

• Practice. Through the activities, you’ll generate a lot of content to use in your responses. Make sure to block out time to practice your new introductions. Finding 15 to 30 minutes of practice time per week can make a world of difference.

• Repeat. No introduction is the same because no two conversations are the same. Apply this process to develop introductions for each of the different scenarios you face.