How to Make Introductions at Work

Making introductions is important as we navigate the workplace and business networking circles. Knowing how to make a proper introduction demonstrates the respect you have for your colleagues and new contacts, and your confidence during the exchange leaves a lasting impression. Read on to learn how to make introductions at work.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

How to Introduce Colleagues

1. Base the business introductions you make on rank. You present the person of lesser authority—an accounting clerk—to the senior authority—the company president.

2. Say the name of the senior person first. Doing so will keep your introduction in the proper order.

3. For example: “Ms. Evey, I’d like you to meet Mr. Chris James. He just joined our accounting department. Chris, Ms. Amanda Evey is president of our company.”

How to Introduce Clients

4. When you introduce a client, place the client in the position of highest importance.

5. Use the client’s name first during the introduction: “Mr. Alexander, may I introduce Ms. Carla Simpson, our managing partner. Mr. David Alexander is our client from Santa Fe.”

How to Introduce People of Equal Rank

6. If the people you are introducing are of equal rank, introduce the person you know best to the other or follow the rule for social situations in which a man is introduced to a woman.

7. Say: “Isabella, this is Mr. Justin Sanchez, an attorney at the Jones Firm. Ms. Isabella Mitchell is an attorney with me at Montgomery and Roe.”

Tips & Warnings

• Always use a person’s full name during an introduction.
• If the people you are introducing have professional titles--like ambassador, judge or doctor--provide those during the introduction.
• Stimulate conversation between the people you’ve introduced by offering some information about each of them during the introduction.

Resources

• Ask Thelma for More Tips