“There is little in life so reassuring as a genuine welcome.” - Robin Hobb

Making Others Around You Feel Comfortable

If you are in business for yourself, have a customer service role, marketing or sales role, then you likely attend a variety of events with the goal of meeting new people. I am an extrovert, but early in my career I always felt a little nervous walking into a room where I did not know most of the people in attendance. Do you ever feel that way?

The more events I attended, the better I became at learning how to focus on the comfort of others at the event in order to ease my own nerves. Here are a few things I would do:

• Observe people as they enter the room. If they come in and seem uncertain of where to go or who to connect with, just walk up to them and say "Welcome! My name is _____. What (or who) brings you here today/tonight?"

• Their response to a couple of questions like the one above will assist you in either providing information they may need about the event, or guide you in helping them make connections in the room with others who have a similar interest. Helping others identify people they will benefit from meeting is invaluable assistance.

• I never ask questions that have the potential to require a very long answer if I truly do not have the time to listen to the answer. Being fully present and listening makes the person to whom you are listening feel important, valued and at ease.

• This process will enable you to make connections with ease with many of the attendees. Help enough people, and you will receive the introductions you need as well.