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THIS WEEK’S CEO-IN-TRAINING TO-DO LIST

Determining Who You Are as a Leader

✅ Find out what kind of leader you are. Take this 5-minute quiz to see your leadership style. Does it match up with how you see yourself? Check out all the styles in the article accompanying the quiz.

✅ Get deeper with DISC. You may be more familiar with other personality assessments, like Meyers-Briggs or Gallup Strengths Finder. Each has something to offer. But, after taking the DISC personality assessment, many people prefer it due to its more actionable insights. See if you might take or even introduce it at your company. And no, we’re not getting paid to say that. :) It’s currently offered at $39 for one test and your report.

✅ Reach out to two existing connections. Make it a habit to cultivate your network. Text them, email them, or DM them on LinkedIn. Just a friendly check-in. Check out Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time.

✅ Set up cross-team collaboration: Identify a challenge or opportunity and bring together individuals from different departments to brainstorm solutions. This encourages diverse perspectives, breaks down silos, and can lead to innovative solutions. Take these steps in Cross-Team Collaboration: 9 Top Strategies for Success.

STEAL THIS RESOURCE

20 Questions You Should Know About Your Boss

Knowing will change your life and relationship

How well do you really know your boss? We recommend downloading this sheet and make it part of your next 1:1 with your boss.

Bosses are likely to appreciate that you’re asking, and you’ll reap the rewards of working with them more effectively.

GOOD READS

No personality? No problem. (Kidding!)

💸 In a world that can’t stop talking, how does an introvert show power? Learn: The Power of the Quiet Influencer: Amplifying the Influence of Introverted Leaders. — Charisma is often overrated. Here’s to introvert power!

💸 The Right (And Wrong) Way To Network On LinkedIn — LinkedIn can be a powerful tool and a big annoyance. We advise the “powerful tool” part.

💸 Your Boss Might Give You a Raise Just for Showing Up — A new survey shows the great divide between remote work and returning to the office.

THE CEO’s ANSWER

What should I do if I hate small talk?

Dear Mingle Mangler,

Your problem is a lot more common than you may realize. The gift of gab wasn’t bestowed upon all of us. And while some people are natural networkers who love meeting new people, it’s a burdensome chore for others.

I can tell you that small talk didn’t come naturally at first to me, either. But the good news is that you can get better at it. And it will make you a better networker, too.

Here are the three things I’ll ask you to do:

1. Develop a set of conversation starters.

2. Do more listening —less talking.

3. Find common ground /interest that allow you to relate to the person as much as you can. (Hint: Your starter conversations can help with this.)

Do those things, and you will improve.

Being introverted doesn’t mean being awkward. Unless you feel it’s time to quit your job, try these on your current bosses to see what happens. (Then try the “20 Questions” interview form with them.) And absolutely use these networking skills on people already in your network and new contacts you hope to have.

Conversation Starters To Riff-Off:

Like with many things, getting started is sometimes the hardest part. So, let’s dig into some good conversation starters for a setting like a networking event, dinner with clients, or a conference.

• The straight-forward Introduction: Start with a simple self-introduction, mentioning your name and your role or the organization you're affiliated with. "Hi, I'm [Name], and I work with [Company/Department]. How about you?"

• Give a Compliment: A sincere compliment can be a great icebreaker. "I loved the presentation you gave earlier. Could you tell me more about that project?"

• Comment on the Event or Setting: "This is my first time at this conference. Have you been here before?" Or: "These events always have such interesting speakers. Is there anyone in particular you're looking forward to hearing from?"

• Ask About Their Role or Organization: "What do you do at [Company]? I've always been curious about the kind of projects you handle." Or: "How long have you been with your current organization?"

• Bring up industry News or Trends: "Have you been following the recent developments in [specific industry topic]? I'd love to hear your take on it." Or: “There's been a lot of talk about [recent industry innovation]. How do you see it impacting our field?"

• Work-related Experiences: "How's your experience been so far with this event/conference/workshop?" Or: "Any key takeaways from the sessions you've attended today?"

• Seek Recommendations: "I'm always looking for good industry-related books or articles. Do you have any recommendations?" Or: "Do you know of any upcoming events or seminars that would be beneficial for someone in my line of work?"

• Common Connections: "I noticed you were talking to [Colleague's Name]. How do you two know each other?" Or: "I see we both know [Mutual Connection]. How did you meet?"

• Open-ended Questions: "What's the most challenging aspect of your job?" Or: "What's the most rewarding project you've worked on recently?"

• Personal, Yet Professional: "Are you from [City/Location] or did work bring you here?" Or: "I noticed you're using the [specific tool or software]. How do you find it compared to other options?"
  

• Travel or Location: "Did you have to travel far to get here?" Or: "I'm new to this city. Do you have any recommendations for places to eat or things to see?"

As the conversation progresses, be mindful of cues indicating whether the other person is engaged or if they may need to move on. Always be ready to adjust the conversation or gracefully wrap it up if needed.

Practice With a Trusted Colleague or Friend

While the idea might seem unconventional at first, practicing conversations through role-play with a friend or colleague can be incredibly beneficial. Role-play is frequently used to train people in a whole range of conversations, like difficult talks with team members, sales calls, and negotiations. Being prepared will increase your confidence and allow the real you to come out without being awkward.

Actively Listen — and Allow Yourself to Relate

This might sound simple, but it's crucial: truly listen. Direct your full attention to the individual, absorbing every word they say. Instead of preoccupying yourself with your performance or the next question to ask, be present in the moment. By posing thoughtful questions and remaining genuinely engaged, you'll find that most will resonate with your approach. Before you realize it, you've made a meaningful connection.

One Final Tip

Should you struggle to recall your conversation starters, jot them down on a reference card and keep it handy. But, ensure you're not visibly referencing it during a conversation. 🙂 Use it as a subtle reminder and take the opportunity to genuinely learn about someone.

In our next discussion, we'll delve further into nurturing and maintaining these freshly established connections. Until then…

 🍀 Good luck!

Sincerely,

Your Turn…

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