Participant introductions can help you to kick off your workshop in style.

Most of us like to know a bit more about the people we’re working with and a  workshop situation is no different.  Participant introductions can help people to find out what skills and experience lie within the group, as well as put a name to a face.

Some people like to keep their private lives separate from work. As facilitators, we have to respect that. Some people are plain shy and we have to be aware of this. Doing some homework beforehand will help you to decide the most appropriate way to conduct introductions.

There are a few options to help people to introduce themselves, or each other at the start of a workshop.

The short and long approach

If the workshop or event is of short duration (4 hours) using shorter introductions is the way to go. People will often be watching the clock and be keen to get into the main body of the workshop.

Longer workshops and programs often have a stronger reliance on the development and understanding of relationships between people. Taking a bit more time in the introductions can help nurture these relationships.

My take is that in small groups (up to 8 people), individual introductions are the way to go.

With larger groups (9 people +), do introductions in pairs or at the tables that they’re seated at to get maximum value from everyone’s time.

Small group participant introductions

For small group introductions, the basics are:

• Be clear and specific re what you want them to cover in their introduction
• Provide some context – “Given the value in tapping into the experience of the group whilst we’re working together, it’ll be worthwhile to have a basic understanding of who’s here today.”
• Start with the person closest to you (make sure you know their name first)
• Move in order around the room
• Acknowledge and thank people for their introductions as you go (this can help build the confidence of shy people and can also help you in remembering names)

Participant introductions for shorter duration workshops

Ask people to share their:

• Role and who they represent (if there’s lots of different organizations represented in workshop)
• Location (if mostly community or locally-based people)

Introductions for longer duration workshops:

Use the above and one of the following:

• Description of themselves using their initials
• Highlight of their last two weeks
• An item on their bucket list

PS – Looking for help in running your own meetings or workshops? Get in touch or go hard and book a FREE planning session today