Self-introductory speeches or ice-breakers say a lot about us.
That is, of course, if they are well written. There are lots of reasons why one would need to introduce oneself. The speaker might be a new head teacher introducing himself to staff and pupils. He might be in a rhetoric group and speaking publicly for the first time. He could be giving an elevator speech and selling his business . Whatever the reason he has to know himself before he speaks.
That’s a challenge to most of us. It is a sad fact that lots of us are unsure of ourselves or, alternatively, too sure of ourselves. Some of us think of ourselves as just ordinary while others are convinced that they are the most wonderful people on earth. The truth is usually somewhere in between. What we have to realise, and explain in that speech, is that each one of us is unique.
Self-introductory speeches should explain that uniqueness. Every one of us is different. Every one of us has different talents and skills. We have different backgrounds, different beliefs and different religions or even none. Every one of us absorbs information differently. Some of us are moody, others cheerful. So before we write that speech we need to ask ourselves “Who am I?” and “What am I really like?”
You could begin by saying that you are John, aged fifty and you sell cars for a livelihood. That’s all very well but there are lots of Johns aged fifty who sell cars. Maybe instead you might start by saying, “I sell cars but I worry about it because while I know they are convenient I also know they are damaging the environment.” Immediately people know they you are a thinking person with modern day concerns. Alternatively, you could say I have been selling cars for ten years and I love test driving them, especially the sports cars. Again you are a car salesman but one with a love of speed and gadgetry.

If you are trying to sell your business of course you want to come across as someone who has the answer to your potential client’s problem. You need to sell yourself too as a genuine person, an ethical businessman. You should speak of your record in your field and of major clients who are already satisfied with your business. You need to explain that your product has its own unique qualities and that you offer a very personal overall service.

Most of us if asked to describe ourselves would hesitate before replying. We don’t want to sound boastful so it’s unlikely that we will say we are generous or kind although we may think we are. It’s unlikely too that we would say that we were brilliant footballers. Saying that you play in division one of the league and train five nights a week says the same thing but in less boastful terms. It also conjures up a picture of a fit, agile person committed to his sport.

Giving just a list of what you do is boring. Involving others in your enthusiasms and hobbies is not. Painting a picture of yourself is really what a self introductory speech does. So make sure the one you paint describes you as a person with personality, passion and the ability to live life to the full.

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Every graduation has a guest speaker. In fact lots of ceremonies, especially award ceremonies have such speakers. Somebody always has the job of introducing them and that is a real challenge. Such a speech has to be welcoming to the speaker. It also has to be informative. In other words you should have done your research on the speaker so that you can speak appropriately when introducing him or her. You should know if he or she has campaigned against racism, won an Olympic medal or saved a whole village from drought. Depending on the occasion you should be able to say how fortunate you are to have such a speaker who is a leader by example. You might say that he or she will inspire others by his or her achievements. If you are also the M.C. you should make the guests feel welcome too and included in the atmosphere of the evening. In other words introducing a guest speaker is like bringing in a birthday cake with candles blazing. You are setting the scene for what is to follow.

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What should I say when I have to give a toast to the ladies? This is a question a speaker often asks. No matter how accomplished a speaker he may be, this particular speech seems to pose a problem perhaps because it is not a speech that he has to give very often. He wonders whether such a speech be flirtatious or formal. He agonises over the length and content. Such speeches are usually given at the end of social gathering such as at a company’s Christmas party or when a club or association have their annual dinner. Whatever the occasion the speech should be light-hearted and gracious extolling the virtues and beauty of the ladies present. It could include a tongue-in-cheek reference to how the ladies have managed to civilise their menfolk. It should certainly be short and to the point because a social occasion is not one for long, rambling speeches. The speaker should remember that everyone present is on a night out and his speech should add to the fun of the evening. That means that the ladies must feel complimented by the speaker’s reference to their beauty and their talents. The gentlemen should be reminded that the ladies add to their pleasure of the evening. All in all a toast to the ladies should add the feel good factor to the evening.

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Introductory speeches for guest speaker set the tone for his or her address, speech or oration. So they need to be as professionally worded as the words of the guest speakers themselves. Laud is not a word we use very much these days but you should certainly laud a guest speaker. What you say about him or her should inspire the audience to sit up and take notice. Obviously a speaker who is giving a motivational sales speech should be introduced in a different way than the son or daughter of a couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. You should always refer to the speaker’s particular qualification for giving the speech. The motivational speaker may have written best sellers about sales. The child of the golden wedding anniversary is obviously uniquely qualified to speak of his or her own parents. It’s up to you when introducing a speaker to ensure your audience is filled with anticipation.

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