Walking Into a Room Full of Strangers - Helpful Tips If You Feel Uncomfortable

Even if you have done it a hundred times, the thought of walking into a room full of strangers can be daunting. It is perfectly natural to feel nervous when facing a new situation – most people do. Regardless of whether you are introverted or extroverted, everybody can remember a time of feeling uneasy at some point in their life when faced with walking into a room full of strangers.
 
It helps to remind yourself that inevitably there will be another person, if not many, who are feeling the same as you are. Have a slow stroll around the room and find someone standing alone, go up to that person and introduce yourself.

There is a very good chance that your courage for walking up to them will be rewarded with a sigh of relief and a smile.

The classic networking tools come in handy:

• Focus on the other person and what they have to say.
• Show interest and encourage them to talk about themselves. Everybody loves to talk about themselves... their holiday, their children, etc.

Use the rapport building tools:

• Match their body language
• Speak in the same tone of voice. This will put them at ease.
  
  

Helpful suggestions for the moments just before you walk into the room. These are also good to practice while you are getting ready.

• Acknowledge to yourself that are feeling nervous and lacking confidence in this moment.
  
• Imagine what it feels like to have confidence. Picture yourself as a confident person. (Stand tall, shoulders back). It can help to think of someone you know who has confidence and picture what it would be like to be that person. Or pretend you have a pair of “confidence shoes” on that give you support and make you strong when you wear them.
  
•  Take a couple of deep breaths and with each inhalation feel that confidence.
• Acknowledge that you now have the choice to step into those “confidence shoes”. It helps if you visualize yourself putting on an actual pair of shoes. These are your “confidence shoes”!
• Step into those shoes, take a deep breath, and walk into that room. Your aim is to go and help the other person standing there all alone who is not wearing their confidence shoes!
• Be pleased with yourself for taking the time and go for it!

 

by Suzie Doscher, Executive Coach focusing on Personal Development
Photo credit: Pexels