Do you Kill Your Credibility At the Handshake?

Feb 11

Another way to kill the cred is not brushing - photo by Jim Frazier

Has this ever happened to you?

You sat across from an executive at a business meeting or company event.  You had a nice chat.  Maybe you even heard about their last vacation or what’s been going on at a big picture level in the company. Fast forward two weeks.

You’re at another event or meeting. You walk up to this person you had the nice visit with and say, “Hi.” Because you know that people aren’t always the best at remembering names, you say your name as you hold out your hand.  And this executive, this person you had a nice visit with two weeks ago, says, “Nice to meet you.”

How does that make you feel?  Do you feel like a valued member of the team?

Imagine this same scenario, only it is someone you met at a networking function.  Has this person just become a trusted part of your network? Is it someone you’re eager to give a referral?  Someone you’re willing to trust with your customers?

One clichéd phrase has completely ruined someone’s credibility.

So, here’s a good tip:  Take the phrase, “Nice to meet you” and throw it away. Crumble it up into a little ball and toss it in your permanent trash can in your head.

Try, “Nice to see you.”

“Good to see you.”

“How are you today?”

“Great visiting with you.”

Any one of these is a vast improvement over, “Nice to meet you.”

So what is your “Nice to Meet You” Story?  Please post it in the comments section of the blog.

Cheers,

Carolann

p.s. – I want to give credit where credit is due.  Jeff Klein, creator of “30 Seconds to Success” and renowned speaker wrote a version of this for his e-zine “IMPACT”.  Jeff’s mission is to help you win business by improving your business networking skills.   Jeff offers teleseminars that pay for themselves as you create a consistent pipeline of new business.  Contact Jeff at jeff@kleincreative.tv for upcoming dates.

Tags: Action Coach, business coach, Carolann Jacobs, coach, Extraordinary Results, facilitation, Inimitable Leadership, Inspired Workplace, Leadership, Legacy Leadership