Squiggly Careers: "5 Formulas for a High Impact Introduction"

Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis

Overview

In this episode of Squiggly Careers, hosts Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper explore the art of crafting high impact personal introductions for professional settings. Inspired by Rebecca Okamoto’s popular TED Talk “How to Introduce Yourself and Get Hired,” the hosts break down her five introduction formulas and discuss how to personalize them for maximum effect. The episode also covers common pitfalls, practical tips, and personal reflections on the discomfort and power dynamics around self-introductions, making it a useful guide for anyone aiming to be heard, remembered, and spark conversation, whether they're seeking new roles, new collaborations, or simply better networking outcomes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Introductions Matter and Where We Struggle

• Helen on Intrigue and Relevance:
  “I do think you are always… you may be not always trying to get hired, but I think you are always trying to get heard.” (02:01)
• Sarah on First Impressions:
  Admits to nerves and wanting to make a good impression:
  “I suppose. We also want to be hired as a company… we are asking them to partner with us. So just a different frame on really the same thing.” (04:30) Realizes she over-explains:
  "I don’t think I get to 'tell me more.' I think I tell them everything." (08:03)
• Consistency and Confidence:
  Helen notes her introductions lack consistency and wonders if being more strategic would build confidence and better results (06:43).

2. Framing the Conversation: The Purpose of Introductions

• Designed for Conversation Start:
  Effective introductions should invite follow-up (08:03):
  “The ideal is you have this designed introduction… that then results in a conversation rather than someone moving on to the next person.” – Helen
• Situational Awareness:
  Not every formula fits every context—choose what’s appropriate for meetings, events, or quick networking rounds (10:24).

3. The Five Introduction Formulas (with Hosts’ Reflections)

Formula 1: Benefit Introduction

“I help [who] achieve [what].”

• Example:
  Sarah: “I help senior leaders grow their people's performance by making development practical, relevant and owned by individuals.” (12:03)
• Critique:
  Sarah dislikes the senior leader focus ("not as inclusive"), and both hosts agree this formula often suits written or recommendation contexts (13:22).

Formula 2: Breakthrough (Problem) Introduction

“I help [who] achieve [what] without [negative consequence].”

• Example:
  Sarah: “I help senior leaders improve people's performance without development feeling like another HR initiative no one owns.” (16:44)
  Helen: “I help senior leaders build learning cultures where people own their career development, without thinking that progression only means promotion.” (17:08)
• Insight:
  Both hosts prefer this approach—it highlights problem-solving and sparks curiosity ("How do you do that?") (18:41).

Formula 3: Passion Introduction

“I’m passionate about [thing] to achieve [what your audience values].”

• Examples:
  Helen: “I’m passionate about helping people build confident, flexible careers to achieve success in a world where work keeps changing.” (21:06)
  Sarah (critique): “I am never going to say the words I’m passionate about.” (21:16)
• Reflection:
  Good for LinkedIn or those for whom passion is central. Both hosts note the need to adapt wording to suit natural speaking styles (21:46).

Formula 4: Strength Introduction

“I’m known for [what you want to be known for] to achieve [desired outcome].”

• Examples:
  Sarah: “I’m known for making career development useful and relevant so senior leaders see real performance improvement from their people.” (23:47) Helen (would adapt): “I’m known for energy, which helps engage people in learning so they are more likely to take action.” (25:27)
• Reflection:
  Both hosts appreciate the focus on personal branding but find the stock phrase "I'm known for" can sound arrogant. Tweaking is key.

Formula 5: Mission Introduction

“I’m on a mission to [what you’re working toward] to achieve [desired value].”

• Examples:
  Helen: “I’m on a mission to replace outdated career ladders with squiggly career systems to achieve skills, ownership, and momentum at scale.” (28:53) Sarah: Prefers “ambition” over “mission” ("as a company, we're on an ambition to make squiggly careers better for everyone" (29:53))
• Reflection:
  This often fits company-level introductions; the wording should match your comfort and authenticity.

4. The Role of Technology: Using ChatGPT as an Introduction Helper

• Helen built a custom GPT to help listeners generate personalized introductions from Rebecca's formulas (03:00).
• GPT asks clarifying questions, generates drafts, and requests feedback for refinement:
  “The first pass is just for you to look at and critique. And then if you want to make it even more personalized, you can.” – Helen (14:13)

5. Personalization: Making the Formulas Sound Like You

• Both hosts emphasize that the formulas are starting points and must be reworded to fit your voice and context (21:18, 23:04).
• The process of critiquing the generated scripts is valuable for understanding what feels authentic (27:38).

6. Linking Introduction to Conversation: Ask a Follow-Up Question

• The introduction should create enough space for the other person to respond.
  “Once you’ve done your introduction… we’re going to ask a follow up question which can either be quite a generic one… or it could be specific to your introduction.” – Helen (33:50)
• Examples of follow-ups:
  • “How are you supporting career development at the moment?” (34:30)
  • “What problems do you think you've got with progression in your organization?”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On nerves and wanting to impress:

  • “I want to make a good impression. I sort of want to do amazing if proud.” – Sarah (04:30)

• On over-explaining:

  • “I don’t think I get to 'tell me more.' I think I tell them everything.” – Sarah (08:03)

• On the point of introductions:

  • “Making a good introduction is the difference between someone saying, ‘Nice to meet you’… and someone saying, ‘Oh, that’s interesting. Tell me more.’” – Helen (07:39)

• Realism about templates:

  • “It’s almost useful to find the things that you’re like, ‘Well, I definitely wouldn’t say that,’ but then to sort of work out... what could better sound like.” – Helen (27:38)

• Adapting “mission”:

  • “I do say ambition, which is quite close… for our company, we're on an ambition to make squiggly careers better for everyone.” – Sarah (29:53)

• On practical follow-up:

  • “You quickly connect what you’ve talked about to them, so it desires a conversation.” – Helen (34:30)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:26] Introduction to the episode’s topic
• [02:49] Rebecca Okamoto’s TED talk and why introductions matter
• [04:07] Personal anxieties and hopes around introductions
• [06:43] Consistency, confidence, and the problem with over-explaining
• [12:03] Walkthrough of the Five Introduction Formulas begins
• [18:28] Preferred formulas and what sparks “tell me more”
• [21:06] Passion introduction discussion and cultural nuances
• [23:04] Strength introduction and perception of arrogance
• [28:53] Mission introduction and adapting for company vision
• [33:50] Role of the follow-up question in building conversation
• [34:49] Practical examples of connecting introduction to audience
• [36:39] Closing thoughts and invitation for listener feedback

Tips & Takeaways

• Try Each Formula: Use the provided formulas as prompts, then rewrite to fit your natural voice and purpose.
• Be Contextual: Consider your audience and intent—what works in a written bio might not work in person.
• Cue Conversation: End with a question to keep the dialogue going; don’t try to tell your entire story at once.
• Practice Out Loud: Reading your introduction aloud helps it become more natural.
• Iterate and Adapt: Your introduction, like your career, will evolve. Review and tweak as needed.

For tools, summary sheets, and to try the custom GPT, visit amazingif.com or check this episode’s show notes.

Contact:
helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com

In Their Words (Summary Table)

| Formula | Example (Helen or Sarah) | Commentary | |-----------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Benefit | "I help senior leaders in HR and L&D build learning cultures..." – Helen | Sometimes too narrow or impersonal | | Breakthrough | "I help senior leaders build learning cultures... without thinking that progression only means promotion." – Helen | Effective at sparking curiosity | | Passion | "I’m passionate about helping people build confident, flexible careers..." – Helen | Needs tweaking for authenticity | | Strength | "I’m known for making career development useful and relevant..." – Sarah | Risk of sounding arrogant, tweak word | | Mission | "I’m on a mission to replace outdated career ladders..." – Helen / "We're on an ambition to make squiggly careers better for everyone." – Sarah | Powerful if anchoring company vision |

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