Can you truly say that you are confident in knowing how to introduce yourself, let alone others?

And how does your expertise rate when the scene changes from an informal to formal occasion?

Unfortunately, many people today have lost the once common skill of introducing others – whether in their business circles or beyond, in social circumstances. I have cringed at too many awkward silences hanging clumsily in the air upon someone’s arrival, be it at a party or professional gathering.

Even if they’re lucky enough to be welcomed personally by their host – what should happen next seems to have become lost in a blundering mess of nerves, nature or naivete in today’s society.

For those who have ever found themselves amid the uncomfortable pause that may chase these increasingly endangered words of welcome – whether in social or business circles – I would like to offer the following hopefully helpful points. (And I’ve written these points in ‘point’ form to make it even easier for those with barely enough time on their hands to skim-read.)

•    Greet your guest with a friendly smile and a handshake, while maintaining eye contact.
•    Guests, always enter a room with a smile and eye contact – it puts others at ease.
•    Hosts, thank your guest for coming – upon greeting them. You may not get another opportunity (although ultimately, it is good manners to do so upon their departure also.)
•    Depending on the event, guide your guest into the room and an appropriate group of fellow invitees.
•    Either smile and wait briefly for a break in the conversation or excuse yourself for interrupting any line of conversation, and smoothly introduce your new guest to the group.
•    The trick to an impressive introduction lies in the groundwork – try to introduce your guest to others that they may share something in common with.
•    The actual introduction itself could be as simple as, “Everyone, this is John Smith. He’s a plumber/pop singer/Star Trek fan…not unlike yourselves, Tim and Janine…”
•    Ultimately, your aim is to spark a conversation in the group that will help to welcome the newcomer. Conversation starters may cover the newcomer’s recent projects, travels, hobbies or interests.
•    Similarly, you may wish to turn the tables and introduce your new guest to the prior arrivals – rather than vice versa. “John Smith, this is Tim – who is our chief engineer in Brisbane/Toronto/Singapore/Afghanistan – and his colleague/wife/flatmate/sister/football coach, Janine.”
•    The general rule of thumb is that the order of introduction is determined by prestige and power.

The more important the guest, the more important it is to remember to introduce them with priority and seniority. “Prime Minister/Minister/Mayor/Mr You’re-The-Boss, may I introduce Max and Miranda, our hard-working personal assistants/masseurs/world yo-yo champions….”

Most importantly, if you are needed elsewhere (and being the host, most likely, you will need to be in many places at once) wait for at least a few minutes before politely, and as discreetly as possible, excusing yourself and exiting stage left.

A line along the lines of, “Would you please excuse me – I must check on the sound/catering/door/police officers who appear to have been called by the neighbours…”

The art of the Introduction is neither a difficult language nor is it an exclusive club with a hefty annual membership fee. It simply requires a moment of thought for others in the same way as you yourself would wish to be greeted within new circles.