I ask everyone to think of something unique about themselves that maybe people don’t know and write it on the back of their name placard. I always add, “nothing kinky” just to protect myself. Then I ask them to share it with the person next to them. After they do that for about a minute, they break in groups of 5 or 6 and share with the group. The group then picks the most interesting and then we go through the room and hear about all the amazing people they have met.
I have met, self taught knife throwers, women who take in 8 children and adopt them, people who climbed Mt. Everest, a Betty Crocker Bake Off Winner and this past Friday I met the grandmother of the “Voices of Glory.” You know the amazing three young adults who placed fifth in “America’s Got Talent 2009.” This wonderful woman allowed me to take a photo with her, she is a real estate agent in Newburgh, New York with Key Properties. Sadie Stanley is a proud grandmother indeed!
My talent? I am an expert Jewish Folk Dancer. You bring me to any wedding I will make you proud.
What happened in the class when we did this? A lot of laughing, noise and a pretty difficult time to get everyone back. But, then an amazing thing happened when I had the groups debrief what they learned. The consensus was that now that they knew someone a little bit better, they might just want to work with them.
Social Media – it’s all about connecting online, off line, letting people know who you are so when they meet you in person they find out they already know you.
Next time I see you, if you ask, I will teach you the hora!
