How We Are Introduced: The Focus on What We Do, Not Who We Are.

When we meet someone for the first time, we often start by talking about our jobs. It's the default icebreaker, right? But here's the thing: while it’s practical, this focus on professions misses a huge part of who we are as individuals. Our work doesn’t define us—there’s so much more to each person than just their job title.

The Power of First Impressions

First impressions matter, and science backs this up. In fact, research by Willis and Todorov (2006) shows that we form first impressions in mere milliseconds. And guess what? We tend to focus on visible cues—like appearance—which often tie directly to our professions. Think about it: when you’re introduced to someone new, the first thing they’ll usually mention is their job, not their hobbies or personal interests. It’s just the way we’ve been wired to communicate and make sense of who people are quickly.

Social Identity and Professional Labels

This tendency is explained by something called social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979). Basically, we categorize ourselves and others based on factors like profession, race, or gender. These labels help us make sense of the world, but they also limit how we perceive others. When we meet someone new, it’s easy to reduce them to just their job title, ignoring the rich complexity of their personality, interests, and capabilities.

The Missing Narrative: Interests and Abilities

While job titles dominate most first conversations, other aspects of who we are often stay hidden until we form deeper connections. Research by Fiske, Cuddy, and Glick (2007) highlights two important dimensions of social interactions: warmth and competence. Competence is often tied to our professional success, but warmth—what really makes us human—plays a huge role in building meaningful relationships. In other words, while your job is important, it’s your personality and values that create lasting bonds.

Why It’s Important to Go Beyond Professions

Next time you introduce yourself, try focusing on more than just your job title. Talking about your personal interests, passions, and values can lead to richer conversations. It allows people to see the full spectrum of who you are, beyond the narrow lens of professional roles. After all, the world is full of talented, creative individuals whose true strengths don’t always show up in their job descriptions.

Conclusion

Even though society often encourages us to define ourselves by our work, it’s important to remember that we are so much more than that. Our interests, passions, and unique abilities make us who we truly are. So, the next time you meet someone new, try shifting the conversation away from "what do you do?" and explore what makes you, well, you. You might just discover that the most meaningful connections happen when we share more than just our job titles.

Created by Nikka on Canva