Introductions don’t fit the agenda you set, thank you.
I’ve worked with people who will sometimes interrupt the natural pre-meeting banter to force an icebreaker. Like, what the hell do you think we were just doing you corporate ass-hat?
Frankly, I’m deeply suspicious of anyone who forces a “round robin” of any kind during any meeting. It very rarely has any value and tells me that that person shouldn’t be running the meeting, or that that particular meeting didn’t need to happen.
As another poster said, sometimes it’s useful and sometimes it’s a waste of time.
I frequently encounter meetings with outside entities for a bunch of stuff related to various large projects/initiatives and the outside entity will bring anywhere from 3-8 random people I’ve never heard of, and in turn we bring a similar number of people they haven’t met or interacted with directly (a good example is a logistics director or facilities manager for a building).
Introductions to go around the room in the format “hello, I’m ________ and I’m the ________, I do the __________ for _________” are good to just be like “oh ok you’re the ______ person, got it”
Going around the room and asking everyone to say where they’re from and their favorite food and least favorite movie, ALWAYS a waste of time unless you’re a grade schooler.
Edit: ignore the italics, not sure why they’re there and I don’t really care to figure it out
Yeah, in meetings with outside teams I can usually understand it and it’s tolerable. But honestly I prefer if the person running the meeting prepares enough to make formal introductions for everyone. The worst is being in a meeting with someone nobody knows, and was never introduced nor given the opportunity to introduce themselves.
My manager does it perfectly, she quickly goes around and says “for the new folks on the call, that’s Bertram, he does x, y, and z. That’s pishadoot, they’ve been here for years and do a, b, and c. It reminds her team that she values them and shows the outside folks that’s she’s a competent manager.
A supervisor introducing their people works, but giving people the chance to introduce themselves sends a signal from the outset that they’re invited to speak at the meeting. Usually that’s my preference, but it depends on the meeting.
A good example of when I think a supervisor should introduce everyone is a meeting where a team lead is presenting a plan to a director that doesn’t know everyone - the team lead introduces their people, and does the majority of the speaking, but can turn to a technician or an area subject expert to field a specific question that comes up.
To me generally, my people are at a meeting because their input is valued. I want them to speak for themselves, and that begins with them introducing themselves. If you’re there to observe I’ll introduce you, otherwise I want them to know they’re there to listen AND speak.
[Skip meeting cutscene.]
I understand social anxiety and such. Public speaking literally gives me the sweats, for instance. I’ve still had to lead meetings and give presentations.
I assume this anxiety is common and the root of a lot of the goofy shit you see where you’re supposed to name your favorite flavor of jello or sportsball team or whatever. Of course, some of it is corporate NPCs being zombies.
The forced introduction may be helping the lead personalize you so that they can more effectively communicate. I.e. they’re shitting themselves from stress and adrenaline at having to lead this stupid meeting and getting an idea of who you are will calm them down.
When I’m in a meeting i want to know who I’m talking to.
and I like my meetings in an email
idiots. it’s always idiots.
And you’re the only non-idiot?
Of course not, but maybe if I keep my mouth shut except when totally necessary I can get out of this stupid meeting without making a fool of myself.
In most meetings you would already know my name and role so you know enough.
Why is that everyone else’s problem? Do your research before hand and reach out privately unless this is a dedicated introductory meeting.
I find it SO weird that people can’t handle simple social interactions anymore.
“Hi! I’m shalafi. Despite appearances, I’m a bit of a redneck. Love kayaking, hiking, camping, stuff like that. After I get out of here, you’re likely to find me in a swamp. LOL, don’t dress like this on the weekends!”
<pass the mike>
Ice breaking is so much easier when you’re just chatting, people just chat at the start of the meeting and it performs the same function. It’s weird if you make everyone go around the circle and force people into it
Yeah but you usually chat with just one or two other people. In a work meeting, its helpful to have a general idea of who your colleagues are.
I’m gonna 180 on this and agree the above comic is fine because our kick off meetings go: “I’m XYZ, I’m this discipline, I’ve mostly worked on these projects recently”
I somehow got it in my head it was “and tell us something fun about yourself” as well
I don’t want to know about your hobbies, I want to know what your function in this project is and why you’re in this meeting.
Yes. Shmoozing during official meeting time is a waste of everyone’s time. Keep it for before/after, it serves its purpose, but once the meeting starts it should be business oriented.
Respect people’s time.
It honestly depends on the meeting through. I think at the onset of a project, or if you’re having like a brainstorming meeting, introductions can help loosen everyone up and understand where other people are coming from. They have a very legitimate purpose if people will have to work cooperatively. That said, if you’re never going to have to talk to each other or work together in any real way, or if you already know each other, sure, skip that and get to the real content.
There’s a reason that introductions and ice breakers are included in adult training and team building activities. They can legitimately change the mindset of a hierarchical “here’s what you’re doing and you don’t get shit” to a collaborative space for sharing. People who are engaged and feel their opinion is valued are better contributors and learners.
Sorry I wasted 6 seconds of your time when the assignment was to introduce ourselves in a sociable manner. You must be a joy to work with.
Well, I liked learning about his hobbies I guess…
Wait, you’re supposed to mention hobbies?
I always just say “Hi, I’m {name}, I’m a {jobTitle} I’ve been working here {numberOfYears} years” and then pass it on.
Good enough! I just like to throw something interesting in there to stand out from the crowd. Couple of years after introducing myself to the company the CEO and CFO both remembered my hobbies and commented on them!
Hi! I’m John. Despite appearances I’m a registered sex offender in 17 states and can no longer enter the state of Alaska due to my penchant for buggery of wildlife. After work today I’m gonna get sloshed and walk around in a park until I urinate on a playground. hope to see you tomorrow, or I might be registered to lucky number 18!
am I doing this right?
First laugh out loud of the day!
You forgot long walks on the beach. I’m pretty sure that you have to mention that.
Every. Damned. Dating. Profile.
No, I don’t like walking the beach. Maybe a couple of times a year? Good enough. It’s windy, hot, exhausting terrain, expensive if you want to stop and eat or drink, AHH!
Hi I’m Jeff Horsenut, I spent the last 8 years hiding in the forest from my car insurer. I can bench over 40 pounds, breathe sensually for 11 hours straight, but my real passion and expertise is in different types of folded laundry. If I had to describe myself in 3 words, it would be: full-stack horatio nelson
40lb bench?
*notes Jeff as a gym rat
Jeff is ripped, shredded, wheat
Sometimes it’s useful, but sometimes it’s just dumb
My area just brought on 4 new team leads. I received a meeting invite with my new team lead. She has
askeddirected that we think about our introductions and 2 truths and 1 lie we have to share. The remainder of the meeting is to figure out our goals and team morale or some shit.I had to do this two truths and a lie thing once, only I was pretty nervous and accidentally told 3 truths, then had to lie about which one was a lie.
The lie should be “I think these meetings are not a total waste of tine and resources”
“My name is person, and I work at company and I think these meetings are great for our morale and productivity.”
“Person, You’re supposed to do 2 truths and 1 lie so we can try and guess which one is the lie.”
…
i love that suddenly everyone has mouth in the end
Nah, the bearded guy remains incapable of expressing emotion.
lol yaya you’re right,
idk why the creator decided that? kinda funny tho
I’m kinda mad they didn’t give him a contrasting smile line
Just the other day was in one of those meetings, but the thing was everyone already knew each other. However the meeting organizer wanted to make sure everyone introduced themselves anyway, because maybe someone forgot or maybe two people hadn’t met and didn’t realize (there were only like 6 people,).
IThey forgot a name and didn’t want to admit it.
I really want to know the people I’m meeting with, so I know who to ignore and who should be send away.
Thanks, blue. A true friend, whoever you are.
We’ll learn his name if it ever becomes important. If someone mentions him in our vicinity. It’s the way he would want it.
Next Episode.
Smoke weed every day.
