"So, what do you do?"
We've all felt that moment of hesitation when this question comes up, haven't we? That split second where we wonder if our answer will truly capture the value we bring. I've been fascinated by how this seemingly simple question creates a critical positioning moment—one that most of us (myself included, once upon a time) squander with generic job descriptions rather than powerful positioning statements.
Why Our Usual Introductions Fail Us
I've noticed three common patterns that keep us from making the impact we deserve:
Title Traps: When we say "I'm a marketing director at XYZ Company," we immediately box ourselves into an organizational hierarchy rather than showcasing our unique value. I've seen so many accomplished women diminished by titles that capture only a fraction of their capabilities.
Activity Lists: How often have you heard yourself saying something like "I handle our company's marketing campaigns and social media"? I know I have. These task-focused descriptions position us through what we do rather than the transformation we create.
Generic Value Claims: Statements like "I help companies improve their marketing strategies" might feel safe, but they make us sound interchangeable with countless others who claim similar capabilities.
Each time we introduce ourselves this way, we miss a chance to be truly seen for the distinctive value we bring.
A Better Way: Strategic Introduction Architecture
After working with hundreds of women navigating professional transitions, I've developed an approach that feels both authentic and strategically powerful.
Instead of listing what you do, focus on the specific difference you make:
Value Focus: What particular problems do you solve in a way that feels energizing to you? What transformation do you consistently create that others find remarkable? When I help clients identify this, I often see their faces light up with recognition.
Expertise Positioning: What's your unique methodology or approach? One client told me she'd always thought her collaborative decision-making process was "just being thorough" until she realized it was actually her distinctive superpower for creating organizational alignment.
Context Awareness: How can you adjust your introduction to the specific situation and person? This isn't about being inauthentic—it's about highlighting the aspects of your value that will resonate most in that moment.
Conversation Creation: How might you open the door to meaningful dialogue rather than just delivering information? I've found this transforms networking from draining to energizing for many women.
A Framework You Can Make Your Own
Here's a simple structure I've seen work wonders for women in transition:
"I help [specific audience] solve [particular challenge] through [distinctive approach] that creates [unique value]."
Let me show you how this transforms ordinary introductions into powerful positioning moments:
Before: "I'm a marketing consultant helping businesses improve their results."
After: "I help technology companies translate technical complexity into compelling customer narratives that drive adoption of innovative solutions."
Can you feel the difference? The second version immediately creates recognition for specific expertise rather than general category.
A Real Transformation Story
I'll never forget working with Elena (name changed), a brilliant organizational development consultant who had spent 20 years building expertise but struggled to differentiate herself. When we met, she was introducing herself as:
"I'm an organizational development consultant with 20 years of experience helping companies improve their performance."
She confided that these introductions rarely led to meaningful conversations, leaving her wondering if she needed to develop new skills or credentials.
Through our work together, Elena realized her distinctive value wasn't in general organizational development but in helping founder-led companies navigate specific growth transitions. Her new introduction became:
"I help founder-led companies navigate the critical transition from entrepreneurial management to professional leadership without losing the distinctive culture that drove their initial success—typically during that critical growth stage between 50-150 employees where 70% of companies stall or implode."
The first time she used this introduction at a networking event, she told me she actually got emotional at the response. Instead of polite nods, she received engaged questions and comments like "That's exactly what we're struggling with right now" and "I need to introduce you to my CEO."
The difference wasn't just in how others perceived her—Elena told me she finally felt seen for the value she knew she created but had struggled to articulate.
Finding Your Own Strategic Introduction
If you're wrestling with how to introduce yourself powerfully, especially during a professional transition, start by reflecting on:
- What specific value does your expertise create that you find most meaningful?
- For whom do you create this value most distinctively?
- What particular approach makes your work different from others with similar backgrounds?
- What unique outcomes do you consistently generate that bring you satisfaction?
Your strategic introduction isn't just about making a good impression—it's about creating alignment between how you see your professional value and how others recognize it.
What challenges do you face when introducing yourself professionally?
★ Ready to take your brand to the next level? Book a free discovery call with me today.
