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A Simple Way To Engage People In A Different Conversation Have you ever thought about the question, “So, what do you do”? It is one, I find interesting. One that in its structure seems pretty simple and yet it has the ability to engage or shutdown a conversation, in a snap. Notice, when someone asks this question, the typical respond is something like, “I work for ABC Company and I am the Manager of XYZ.” It is always interesting to watch the response of the person who initially asked the question, when they are confronted with this information. If they have any idea what the title is or what the position might be, then the conversation will carry on. More questions might be asked and antidotal information is passed back and forth. In general, this simple question can be an amazing icebreaker in this type of situation because before long the conversation will evolve to other topics, far beyond the initial one. If on the other hand, the individual has no idea what it means, then it can be a pretty big deal breaker. We have all ran into a situation or two, where there is simply no launch point for the conversation. Those moments are pretty awkward for everybody and can almost be as bad as one party asking questions and the other party only responding with yes or no and nothing else. In order to engage people, you want to be able to keep a conversation going. You need to make it easy for people to like you and that means it is up to you in fact, make it easy. Let me give you a different perspective on the question, “So what do you do?” Think about this question in terms of results you achieve, rather than a title or process. Of course you have a title and a position, most of us who work do. The results you achieve in having your position provide much more valuable information for the other person to relate to. Let’s look at a couple of examples, to illustrate the thinking: Title: Manager of Production Variation: I coordinate people and resources to ensure parts hit the loading dock to ship out to our customers. Title: Financial Advisor Variation: I provide guidance to people on where best to invest their money today, to have it grow for the future. Title: ERP Consultant Variation: I assist people to buy computer hardware systems that run large scale software in medium size companies. You see, in using simple terms to describe the result of what you do, it allows the person you are talking to find the commonality between what they know in their everyday lives and what it is that you do. It does requires you to think about what results you do achieve or what is the purpose for your position, however it will change the dialogue you open up for the other person. People inherently do not like to be made to feel like they don’t fit. If I don’t understand what you do, then it is hard for me to find something to engage with you on. Let’s face it, in today’s world, there are a magnitude of titles and positions, ever evolving and for most people, especially if they are not in your industry or in your company, it can be hard to keep up. Help people to engage with you and they will.
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employee engagement, leadership, knowledge transfer, people actuation,
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