It tells them that you care about what they say and value their thoughts.īe careful not to interrupt. This shows that you are engaged and actively listening. When someone else is speaking, it is important to nod or smile. Give cues that show you’re paying attention Those who avert their eyes are viewed as lacking confidence and honesty. Make eye contact when you shake their hand and smile. Usually, the higher ranking person will offer their hand first, but if they don’t, you can still offer yours. A firm handshake is still considered a positive trait. Handshakes are the universal business greeting. The key is to ask open-ended questions that will require more than a “yes” or “no” and move the conversation along. This can be anything ranging from the weather to a book they are holding or the office space.
It shows that you have taken an interest in them and care about getting it right. If it is an unusual or difficult to pronounce name, the person is probably used to it and won’t mind.
If you aren’t sure how to pronounce it, be sincere and ask. When you first meet someone, pay attention to their name. This is especially important if you have a common first name like Ashley or John. When you tell others your name, include your last name. It is how people recognize and address you. Names are one of the first pieces of information that we learn about someone.