Newcomers' Presentation?

Question

My company has decided to organize a staff meeting event next week to break the ice between employees and I'm glad that they did. There are six newcomers joined the team within four months including me and our managers stated that we will be given 60 seconds to present ourselves.As you guess, the topics are: - Life story - Previous work experience - Current team & role - Fun facts about the individualIt appears to be pretty simple but I have problems with being outspoken a bit. I'm afraid of saying things which might be weird and inappropriate.What is the proper/appropriate way to overcome this presentation? How would you do it in 60 seconds?

Answer 1

First, don't try to give your full life story in 60 seconds, unless you have had a fascinating life and are a great communicator. Second, you will come across best (and, surprisingly, most naturally) if you write out your words and rehearse them over and over before a mirror or significant other (even the dog, who won't criticize) until they flow naturally and you can focus on vocal expression and making eye contact rather than being nervous about the content of what you will say. Try to start and end with something powerful and interesting. If you aren't great at coming up with powerful and interesting words, tie in a quote from someone who was better at captivating people's attention. If you can make it funny as well, so much the better, as people feel a bond when you have made them laugh. 60 seconds covers no more tan 150 words (less if you aren't used to public speaking). So keep your words few, and avoid unnecessary noise words. Example.... "Hi, I’m Joe Schmo. Perhaps the best illustration of my personality comes from a quote by Samuel Coleridge, who said “genius is the power of carrying the feelings of childhood into the power of manhood”. I can’t necessarily say that I’m a genius, but I certainly bring a degree of childlike curiosity into everything I do. Perhaps I should have been named George. In my last job, where I designed widgets for a whatnot company, my co-workers accused me of never taking the traditional path. I didn’t exactly re-invent the wheel, but I sure did a number on improving the spokes. I’m not quite sure where that “traditional” path was that I was accused of not taking, but I consistently chose the ways that seemed to add the most value to our product line. Now I’m in R&D again here, looking forward to new opportunities to improve and refine what we do here. Example 2.... "Hi, I'm Ben Brown. I'm taking over leadership of the whatnot development group. My philosophy of leadership, as I lived it out in my last position as senior director of nonsense at bingo corporation in Nowhere, Kansas came from Amos Bronson Alcott, who said "First find the manliness in yourself if you will inspire others to manliness". Now I realize I'm working with women too, but in a very inclusive way, I hope to inspire all of you to be your best selves by being my best self alongside you. I'm optimistic about redesigning our whatnots, and intend to give my full effort and attention to the project at hand, glad that I'll be working alongside such a fine group of co-workers" Best wishes!