self presentation questions

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A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself

• Andrea Wojnicki

Think: present, past, future.

Many of us dread the self-introduction, be it in an online meeting or at the boardroom table. Here is a practical framework you can leverage to introduce yourself with confidence in any context, online or in-person: Present, past, and future. You can customize this framework both for yourself as an individual and for the specific context. Perhaps most importantly, when you use this framework, you will be able to focus on others’ introductions, instead of stewing about what you should say about yourself.

You know the scenario. It could be in an online meeting, or perhaps you are seated around a boardroom table. The meeting leader asks everyone to briefly introduce themselves. Suddenly, your brain goes into hyperdrive. What should I say about myself?

• Andrea Wojnicki , MBA, DBA, is an executive communication coach and founder of Talk About Talk, a multi-media learning resource to help executives improve their communication skills.

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For Individuals

The self presentation theory and how to present your best self

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What does self presentation mean?

What are self presentation goals, individual differences and self presentation.

How can you make the most of the self presentation theory at work?  

We all want others to see us as confident, competent, and likeable — even if we don’t necessarily feel that way all the time. In fact, we make dozens of decisions every day — whether consciously or unconsciously — to get people to see us as we want to be seen. But is this kind of self presentation dishonest? Shouldn’t we just be ourselves?

Success requires interacting with other people. We can’t control the other side of those interactions. But we can think about how the other person might see us and make choices about what we want to convey. 

Self presentation is any behavior or action made with the intention to influence or change how other people see you. Anytime we're trying to get people to think of us a certain way, it's an act of self presentation. Generally speaking, we work to present ourselves as favorably as possible. What that means can vary depending on the situation and the other person.

Although at first glance this may seem disingenuous, we all engage in self-presentation. We want to make sure that we show up in a way that not only makes us look good, but makes us feel good about ourselves.

Early research on self presentation focused on narcissism and sociopathy, and how people might use the impression others have of them to manipulate others for their benefit. However, self presentation and manipulation are distinct. After all, managing the way others see us works for their benefit as well as ours.

Imagine, for example, a friend was complaining to you about   a tough time they were having at work . You may want to show up as a compassionate person. However, it also benefits your friend — they feel heard and able to express what is bothering them when you appear to be present, attentive, and considerate of their feelings. In this case, you’d be conscious of projecting a caring image, even if your mind was elsewhere, because you value the relationship and your friend’s experience.

To some extent, every aspect of our lives depends on successful self-presentation. We want our families to feel that we are worthy of attention and love. We present ourselves as studious and responsible to our teachers. We want to seem fun and interesting at a party, and confident at networking events. Even landing a job depends on you convincing the interviewer that you are the best person for the role.

There are three main reasons why people engage in self presentation:

Tangible or social benefits:

In order to achieve the results we want, it often requires that we behave a certain way. In other words, certain behaviors are desirable in certain situations. Matching our behavior to the circumstances can help us connect to others,   develop a sense of belonging , and attune to the needs and feelings of others.

Example:   Michelle is   a new manager . At her first leadership meeting, someone makes a joke that she doesn’t quite get. When everyone else laughs, she smiles, even though she’s not sure why.

By laughing along with the joke, Michelle is trying to fit in and appear “in the know.” Perhaps more importantly, she avoids feeling (or at least appearing) left out, humorless, or revealing that she didn’t get it — which may hurt her confidence and how she interacts with the group in the future.

To facilitate social interaction:

As mentioned, certain circumstances and roles call for certain behaviors. Imagine a defense attorney. Do you think of them a certain way? Do you have expectations for what they do — or don’t — do? If you saw them frantically searching for their car keys, would you feel confident with them defending your case?

If the answer is no, then you have a good idea of why self presentation is critical to social functioning. We’re surprised when people don’t present themselves in a way that we feel is consistent with the demands of their role. Having an understanding of what is expected of you — whether at home, work, or in relationships — may help you succeed by inspiring confidence in others.

Example:   Christopher has always been called a “know-it-all.” He reads frequently and across a variety of topics, but gets nervous and tends to talk over people. When attending a networking event, he is uncharacteristically quiet. Even though he would love to speak up, he’s afraid of being seen as someone who “dominates” the conversation. 

Identity Construction:

It’s not enough for us to declare who we are or what we want to be — we have to take actions consistent with that identity. In many cases, we also have to get others to buy into this image of ourselves as well. Whether it’s a personality trait or a promotion, it can be said that we’re not who   we   think we are, but who others see.

Example:   Jordan is interested in moving to a client-facing role. However, in their last performance review, their manager commented that Jordan seemed “more comfortable working independently.” 

Declaring themselves a “people person” won’t make Jordan’s manager see them any differently. In order to gain their manager’s confidence, Jordan will have to show up as someone who can comfortably engage with clients and thrive in their new role.

We may also use self presentation to reinforce a desired identity for ourselves. If we want to accomplish something, make a change, or   learn a new skill , making it public is a powerful strategy. There's a reason why people who share their goals are more likely to be successful. The positive pressure can help us stay accountable to our commitments in a way that would be hard to accomplish alone.

Example:   Fatima wants to run a 5K. She’s signed up for a couple before, but her perfectionist tendencies lead her to skip race day because she feels she hasn’t trained enough. However, when her friend asks her to run a 5K with her, she shows up without a second thought.

In Fatima’s case, the positive pressure — along with the desire to serve a more important value (friendship) — makes showing up easy.

Because we spend so much time with other people (and our success largely depends on what they think of us), we all curate our appearance in one way or another. However, we don’t all desire to have people see us in the same way or to achieve the same goals. Our experiences and outcomes may vary based on a variety of factors.

One important factor is our level of self-monitoring when we interact with others. Some people are particularly concerned about creating a good impression, while others are uninterested. This can vary not only in individuals, but by circumstances.   A person may feel very confident at work , but nervous about making a good impression on a first date.

Another factor is self-consciousness — that is, how aware people are of themselves in a given circumstance. People that score high on scales of public self-consciousness are aware of how they come across socially. This tends to make it easier for them to align their behavior with the perception that they want others to have of them.

Finally, it's not enough to simply want other people to see you differently. In order to successfully change how other people perceive you, need to have three main skills: 

1. Perception and empathy

Successful self-presentation depends on being able to correctly perceive   how people are feeling , what's important to them, and which traits you need to project in order to achieve your intended outcomes.

2. Motivation

If we don’t have a compelling reason to change the perception that others have of us, we are not likely to try to change our behavior. Your desire for a particular outcome, whether it's social or material, creates a sense of urgency.

3.  A matching skill set

You’ve got to be able to walk the talk. Your actions will convince others more than anything you say. In other words, you have to provide evidence that you are the person you say you are. You may run into challenges if you're trying to portray yourself as skilled in an area where you actually lack experience.

How can you make the most of the self presentation theory at work?

At its heart, self presentation requires a high-level of self awareness and empathy. In order to make sure that we're showing up as our best in every circumstance — and with each person — we have to be aware of our own motivation as well as what would make the biggest difference to the person in front of us.

Here are 6 strategies to learn to make the most of the self-presentation theory in your career:

1. Get feedback from people around you

Ask a trusted friend or mentor to share what you can improve. Asking for feedback about specific experiences, like a recent project or presentation, will make their suggestions more relevant and easier to implement.

2. Study people who have been successful in your role

Look at how they interact with other people. How do you perceive them? Have they had to cultivate particular skills or ways of interacting with others that may not have come easily to them?

3. Be yourself

Look for areas where you naturally excel and stand out. If you feel comfortable, confident, and happy, you’ll have an easier time projecting that to others. It’s much harder to present yourself as confident when you’re uncomfortable.

4. Be aware that you may mess up

As you work to master new skills and ways of interacting with others,   keep asking for feedback . Talk to your manager, team, or a trusted friend about how you came across. If you sense that you’ve missed the mark, address it candidly. People will understand, and you’ll learn more quickly.

Try saying, “I hope that didn’t come across as _______. I want you to know that…”

5. Work with a coach

Coaches are skilled in interpersonal communication and committed to your success. Roleplay conversations to see how they land, and practice what you’ll say and do in upcoming encounters. Over time, a coach will also begin to know you well enough to notice patterns and suggest areas for improvement.

6. The identity is in the details

Don’t forget about the other aspects of your presentation. Take a moment to visualize yourself being the way that you want to be seen. Are there certain details that would make you feel more like that person? Getting organized, refreshing your wardrobe, rewriting your resume, and even cleaning your home office can all serve as powerful affirmations of your next-level self.

Self presentation is defined as the way we try to control how others see us, but it’s just as much about how we see ourselves. It is a skill to achieve a level of comfort with who we are   and   feel confident to choose how we self-present. Consciously working to make sure others get to see the very best of you is a wonderful way to develop into the person you want to be.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Allaya Cooks-Campbell

With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

Impression management: Developing your self-presentation skills

6 presentation skills and how to improve them, how to make a presentation interactive and exciting, how to give a good presentation that captivates any audience, what is self-preservation 5 skills for achieving it, how to not be nervous for a presentation — 13 tips that work (really), how self-knowledge builds success: self-awareness in the workplace, self-promotion: how to showcase your skills and experience, developing psychological flexibility, how self-compassion strengthens resilience, how self-efficacy can boost your personal success, what is self-awareness and how to develop it, what i didn't know before working with a coach: the power of reflection, self-advocacy: improve your life by speaking up, building resilience part 6: what is self-efficacy, why learning from failure is your key to success, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Self Introduction Speech [Topics + Outline Sample]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

This page deals with self introduction speech topics for classroom or other public speaking events an opportunities in life for a good first impression.

In this article:

Sample Introduction Speech Topics

Sample self introduction speech outline.

Another short manner for introducing yourself is the elevator speech, meant for business purposes.

The key question for successful and effective presenting yourself to others in both occasions is: how much and what information do you want the audience to know about you?

Due to the fact you have to write your talk around one theme, I recommend to develop one aspect of your life. That aspect will tell who you are and what you are about. Some people call this type a one-point preliminary, because it is based on one speaking idea.

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Look at the sample self introduction speech topics and pick out the aspects of your personal life you want to share with the audience. Approach the list below with the who, the what, the whereabouts, for sure the why, the how and when questions. That is an effective way to outline your first thoughts.

• What activity has played or plays an important part in your life? Tell the story and distract the message.
• What is your main personal goal?
• What do you like very much? Your hobby?
• What do you hate or dislike? Your aversions?
• Do you have developed a very special skill?
• What is your lifestyle?
• Can you come up with a turning point or milestone in you life?
• What is your hobby or interest in your spare time?
• What is a pet peeve or another very familiar topic you like to talk about, to do or to discuss?
• Where you are from? Do your roots reveal something about yourself that is new for the audience? That always works in a small nice text for introducing your biggest personal features.
• Is there an object or prop that means a lot to you?
• What distinguishes you from other individuals in class?

Now that you have picked out a central thesis, use this example profiler I have created:

Grab their attention . Immediately bring in your central message and come to the point.

Give some background information . Tell why it is important to you, why you are doing it, why you want to tell them, etcetera.

Now work out your item of discussion in a few sentences. Draw the contours, make it personal.

Give an example .

In conclusion, offer a memorable answer in your self-introduction speech on the question the listeners probably will have when they listen to your public speaking efforts: what’s in it for me? Tell how this aspect of your life makes who you are and what you are. It will be the perfect ending of your spoken presentation.

113 Extemporaneous Speech Topics

147 Unique Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative]

2 thoughts on “Self Introduction Speech [Topics + Outline Sample]”

i think that talking about some people that have influenced you the most really gives good base to your speech and it helps you by writing about things that you are familiar with so if you write about what has inspired you and what you care about you can easily write about anything.

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The Art of Self Presentation: Impression Management and Self-Identity

Table of Contents

Have you ever considered how the simple act of introducing yourself at a party, or the way you dress for a job interview, can be a strategic move? Behind these seemingly mundane actions lies a complex process we all engage in, known as self\-presentation . Self-presentation, or impression management , is not just about vanity or a superficial attempt to be liked. It’s a fundamental aspect of human interaction, deeply rooted in psychology and sociology. Let’s dive into the nuances of how we present ourselves to the world and the motives that drive us to manage impressions.

Understanding self-presentation

Self-presentation is the process by which individuals attempt to control the impressions others form of them. It’s a performance where the stage is everyday life, and the audience is the people around us. We employ a variety of verbal, nonverbal, and stylistic cues to craft an image that serves our goals. Whether it’s the confidence in our voice during a presentation, the firmness of our handshake, or the meticulous choice of attire for an event, each element is a deliberate choice in the art of self-presentation.

Verbal cues

• Language and tone: The words we choose and the tone we adopt can convey authority, warmth, intelligence, or humility.
• Storytelling: Narratives about our experiences and achievements can shape how others see us.

Non verbal cues

• Body language: Posture, gestures, and facial expressions communicate emotions and attitudes without words.
• Eye contact: Maintaining or avoiding eye contact can signal confidence, respect, or evasion.

Stylistic cues

• Dress and grooming: How we dress and groom ourselves can signal our social status, professionalism, or group affiliations.
• Accessories and props: Objects we carry or display can be symbols of our identity or status.

The motives behind self-presentation

Why do we go to such lengths to manage how others perceive us? There are two primary drivers: instrumental and expressive motives . Instrumental motives are goal-directed. We present ourselves in a certain way to achieve specific outcomes, such as gaining favor, avoiding conflict, or securing a promotion. On the other hand, expressive motives are about self-expression and identity. We manage impressions to convey who we believe we are and to maintain a consistent self-image.

Instrumental motives

• Influence: We may present ourselves as competent or likable to sway others to our point of view or to get them to do something for us.
• Obtaining rewards: A well-managed impression can lead to tangible benefits like job offers, social connections, or recognition.

Expressive motives

• Self-identity: Through self-presentation, we affirm and communicate our values, beliefs, and unique personality traits.
• Group identity: We may also use self-presentation to identify with a particular social group, aligning ourselves with its norms and values.

Maintaining consistency in self-presentation

The key to effective self-presentation is consistency. Inconsistencies between our words and actions can lead to a loss of credibility and trust. For instance, if you profess a commitment to environmental causes but are seen littering, this discrepancy can tarnish your image. Such inconsistencies can also lead to cognitive dissonance , a psychological state where we experience discomfort due to conflicting beliefs or behaviors. To resolve this discomfort, we may adjust our attitudes or behaviors to align with the image we wish to project.

Aligning actions and words

• Consistent messaging: Ensure that what you say matches what you do. This builds trust and authenticity in your image.
• Behavioral adjustments: Sometimes, to maintain consistency in our self-presentation, we may change our behavior to align with the impressions we’ve created.

Dealing with cognitive dissonance

• Awareness: Recognize when your actions do not match your expressed attitudes or the identity you’re trying to convey.
• Adjustment: Alter your behaviors or attitudes to reduce the dissonance and create a coherent self-image.

Self-presentation in the digital age

As we navigate the digital world, self-presentation has taken on new dimensions. Social media platforms have become stages where we curate images of ourselves through photos, status updates, and interactions. The line between public and private selves blurs as we manage impressions for a potentially global audience. This digital self\-presentation comes with its own challenges and opportunities for expression and influence.

Creating a digital identity

• Curated content: We carefully select which parts of our lives to share online, often emphasizing positive and flattering aspects to craft an idealized self-image.
• Feedback loops: Likes, comments, and shares provide immediate feedback, influencing future self-presentation choices.

Navigating the pitfalls

• Authenticity vs. curation: Striking a balance between presenting an ideal self and remaining authentic is a challenge in the digital world.
• Privacy concerns: Deciding how much personal information to share online is a critical aspect of digital self-presentation.

Self-presentation is a crucial part of human interaction, deeply intertwined with our social world and our sense of self. Whether we’re aware of it or not, we’re all engaged in impression management, both offline and online. By understanding the motives and methods behind self-presentation, we can navigate social situations more effectively and authentically. It’s a delicate dance of influence and expression, where the ultimate goal is to present a self that aligns with our identity and aspirations.

What do you think? How do you manage your self-presentation in different social settings? Have you ever experienced cognitive dissonance due to misalignment between your actions and the image you wanted to project?

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Social Psychology

1 Definition, Concept and Research Methods in Social Psychology

• Definition and Concept of Social Psychology
• Research Methods in Social Psychology
• Experimental Methods
• Non-Experimental Methods
• Other Research Methods
• Research Ethics

2 Historical Perspective of Social Psychology, Social Psychology and Other Related Disciplines

• Historical Perspective
• Landmarks in the History of Social Psychology
• Social Psychology and Other Related Disciplines
• Significance of Social Psychology Today

3 Social and Person Perception – Definition, Description and Functional Factors

• Social Cognition – Description and Nature
• Social Perception – Definition
• Understanding Temporary States
• Understanding of the Most Permanent or Lasting Characteristics – Attributions
• Impression Formation
• Implicit Personality Theory
• Person Perception
• Social Categorisation

4 Cognitive Basis and Dynamics of Social Perception and Person Perception

• Cognitive and Motivational Basis of Social and Person Perception
• Bias in Attribution
• Role of Emotions and Motivation in Information Processing
• Motivated Person Perception
• Effect of Cognitive and Emotional States

5 Definition, Concept, Description, Characteristic of Attitude

• Defining Attitudes
• Attitudes, Values, and Beliefs
• Formation of Attitudes
• Functions of Attitudes

6 Components of Attitude

• ABCs of Attitudes
• Properties of Attitudes

7 Predicting Behaviour from Attitude

• Relationship between Attitude and Behaviour
• Attitudes Predict Behaviour
• Attitudes Determine Behaviour?
• Behaviour Determine Attitudes

8 Effecting Attitudinal Change and Cognitive Dissonance Theory, Compliance of Self-perception Theory, Self-affirmation

• Self Presentation
• Cognitive Dissonance
• Self Perception
• Self Affirmation

9 Introduction to Groups- Definition, Characteristics and Types of Groups

• Groups-Definition Meaning and Concepts
• Characteristics Features of Group
• Types of Group
• The Role of Groups

10 Group Process- Social Facilitation, Social Loafing, Group Interaction, Group Polarization and Group Mind

• Social Facilitation
• Social Loafing
• Group Interaction
• Group Polarization

11 Group Behaviour- Influence of Norms, Status and Roles; Introduction to Crowd Behavioural Theory, Crowd Psychology (Classical and Convergence Theories)

• Human Behaviour in Groups
• Influence of Norms Status and Roles
• Crowd Behavioural Theory
• Crowd Psychology

12 Crowd Psychology- Collective Consciousness and Collective Hysteria

• Crowd: Definition and Characteristics
• Crowd Psychology: Definition and Characteristics
• Collective Behaviour
• Collective Hysteria

13 Definition of Norms, Social Norms, Need and Characteristics Features of Norms

• Meaning of Norms
• Types of Norms
• Violation of Social Norms
• Need and Importance of Social Norms
• Characteristic Features of Social Norms

14 Norm Formation, Factors Influencing Norms, Enforcement of Norms, Norm Formation and Social Conformity

• Norm Formation
• Factors Influencing Norm Formation
• Enforcement of Norms
• Social Conformity

15 Autokinetic Experiment in Norm Formation

• Autokinetic Effect
• Sherif’s Experiment
• Salient Features of Sherif’s Autokinetic Experiments
• Critical Appraisal
• Related Latest Research on Norm Formation

16 Norms and Conformity- Asch’s Line of Length Experiments

• Solomon E. Asch – A Leading Social Psychologist
• Line and Length Experiments
• Alternatives Available with Probable Consequences
• Explanation of the Yielding Behaviour
• Variants in Asch’s Experiments
• Salient Features
• Related Research on Asch’s Findings

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17 Self Introduction Topics

Self introductions are a common occurrence in a variety of settings, such as job interviews, networking events, and social gatherings. It’s important to be able to confidently introduce yourself and share some key information about yourself in a clear and concise manner. 

The following list provides a range of topic ideas that you can use to structure your self introduction and make a positive impression. Whether you’re looking to share your personal interests, career goals, or background information, these topics can help you get started.

1. Name and Background

2. education and career, 3. interests and hobbies, 4. family and relationships, 5. goals and aspirations, 6. personal values, 7. challenges and struggles, 8. travel experiences, 9. personal motto or philosophy, 10. challenges and struggles, 11. cultural background, 12. strengths and weaknesses, 13. accomplishments, 14. personal challenges, 15. future plans, 16. fun or unique experiences, 17. personality traits , final thoughts.

This can include your name, where you’re from, and any relevant personal or professional background information. Keep it brief but include enough context to spark interest from the audience.

You could talk about your education, any degrees or certifications you have, and your current career or profession. If you’re looking for a job, you could also include what you’re looking for and your relevant qualifications. 

Share some of your interests and hobbies that you’re passionate about. This could be anything from a sport or hobby to a personal project or volunteer work.

You could mention your family, any significant others or close friends, and any other relationships that are important to you. Having a strong support system is a great way to show your commitment and dedication to your personal and professional life.

By sharing your goals and aspirations, you can demonstrate your ambition and enthusiasm for the future. This could include your ambitions for your current job or any other goals you want to achieve in your life.

Sharing your personal values can give others an understanding of what is important to you and how you approach life. Let people know what drives you and your beliefs about yourself, the world, and the people around you. 

Be ready to talk about any challenges and struggles you’ve faced in life. This could be anything from a difficult experience to a moment of personal growth. Sharing how you overcame these obstacles can be a great way to show resilience and strength of character.

If you’ve had the opportunity to travel, you could talk about where you’ve been and any memorable experiences you’ve had. Your audience could relate to similar experiences they’ve had and it could spark interesting conversations. 

Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides your life? Sharing this can give others a better understanding of your values and beliefs.

Sharing any challenges or struggles you’ve faced can help others see that they’re not alone and can also give you an opportunity to talk about how you’ve overcome those challenges. These experiences can be valuable for connecting with others and building relationships.

You could talk about your cultural background, including your ethnicity, language(s) spoken, and any cultural traditions that are important to you. It can be a great way to show cultural pride and start conversations about diversity and inclusion. 

You don’t have to be perfect! Talking about your strengths and weaknesses can be a great way to show humility and self-awareness. It can also give others a better understanding of who you are and how you approach different situations. 

Don’t be shy about your accomplishments! Talk about any awards, recognition, or achievements you’ve had in your life. It’s a great way to showcase your hard work and dedication. 

You could talk about any personal challenges you’ve faced and the strategies you used to overcome them. This could include anything from a major life transition to a difficult decision you had to make. 

Whether they’re related to your personal or professional life, talking about your future plans can be a great way to show your enthusiasm and confidence. It could also spark interesting conversations about what each person’s plans for the future are.

Do you have any fun or unique experiences that you’d like to share? This could be anything from participating in a marathon to skydiving to volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you tend to be more organized or spontaneous? Sharing your personality traits can help others get to know you better and could also spark conversations about different personalities.

Introducing yourself can be an intimidating task, but with the right topics and preparation, you can make a positive impression and start meaningful conversations. Whatever setting you’re in, remember to stay true to who you are and highlight the unique qualities that make you stand out. By using these topics to structure your self introduction, you can confidently introduce yourself and make a lasting impression.

Related Posts:

16 Self-Concept Questionnaires, Activities and Tests (+PDF)

How do you answer such a complex question? It’s tough and one that psychologists have consistently sought to help us with.

‘Self-concept’ might not be a term you’re generally familiar with, but it’s one that’s well worth knowing about. It essentially refers to the way we think about ourselves, evaluate our appearance, thoughts, and behaviors, and perceive ourselves both as individuals and in comparison to others. It’s also linked to concepts of self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-image.

The term self-concept has grown in popularity owing to the way it encompasses a more robust idea of self, rather than individual terms.

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This Article Contains:

Popular psychology definitions of self-concept, the personal self-concept questionnaire (psq), the self-concept questionnaire (scq), 3 more ways to map beliefs about the self, 3 self-concept activities & exercises, best online self-concept test, 3 more tests and assessments, handy pdf worksheets, a take-home message.

A popular definition is provided by Baumeister (1999):

The individual’s belief about himself or herself, including the person’s attributes and who and what the self is.

Rogers (1959) suggested that self-concept has three core aspects:

• Self-Image – The view you have of yourself
• Self-Worth – How much value you have in yourself
• Ideal-Self – Who you really wish you were

Lewis (1990) also theorized that the development of individual self-concept has two key components:

• The Existential Self – The realization that you exist as separate to others.
• The Categorical Self – The realization that you exist as an individual object in the world, with distinct properties, such as your age, hair color, and gender. As we grow older, this component also begins to include psychological traits.

The Personal Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ) was developed by Goñi, Madariaga, Axpe & Goñi (2011) in response to the plethora of self-concept tools available. The researchers wanted to create a shorter measurement that provided an accurate representation of self-concept overall.

The questionnaire is made up of 22 statements, divided into four subcategories:

• Self-fulfillment
• Emotional self-concept

Example statements from the questionnaire include:

• To do anything, I first need other people’s approval. (Autonomy)
• I consider myself to be a very uptight and highly strung person. (Emotional Self-Concept)
• I have yet to achieve anything I consider to be important in my life. (Self-Fulfilment)
• I am a man/woman of my word. (Honesty)

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Initially developed by Saraswat (1984), the Self Concept Questionnaire is one of the more popular questionnaires when it comes to measuring self-concept.

The questionnaire itself contains 48 statements that aim to measure self-concept across six different aspects:

• Temperamental
• Educational
• Intellectual

Example statements include:

• I feel different from most people and wish I was more like them. (Social)
• I only partially believe in myself. (Temperamental)
• I feel I am a person of worth. (Moral)
• I have trouble taking criticism from other people. (Temperamental)

Participants rate their answers to the statements on a scale from 1 to 5, with one being ‘very unlike me’ and five being ‘very true of me.’ A higher score indicates a high sense of self-concept, with a lower score indicating a lower sense of self-concept.

Although the PSQ and SCQ are the two most commonly used questionnaires to measure and map self-concept, there are several other questionnaires and tools that aim to explore self-belief too.

Below are three I’ve come across in my research that might be of interest to you:

1. Academic Self-Concept Scale for Adolescents (ASCS)

The Academic Self-Concept Scale for Adolescents (Minchekar, 2019) was developed in response to the idea that many self-concept questionnaires and measures are quite broad. The researchers wanted to narrow this down and focused only on measuring self-concept concerning academic skills and performance.

The scale is broken down into eight distinct sub-categories that it measures:

• Self-Concept of Academic Ability
• Self-Concept of Academic Interests
• Self-Concept of Study
• Self-Concept of Examination
• Self-Concept of Academic Interactions
• Self-Concept of Academic Efforts
• Self-Concept of Curriculum
• Self-Concept of Academic Future

The scale contains 57 statements that ask participants to rate themselves from one to five, with one being ‘Never’ and five being ‘Always.’ Higher scores indicate a higher level of Academic Self-Concept, and participants with a higher score were found to be more confident in their academic capabilities.

The ASCS is still a relatively new tool, and you can read more about its development .

2. Harrill Self-Esteem Inventory

The Harrill Self-Esteem Inventory was developed by Counselor, Susan Harrill, as a measurement for self-esteem within self-concept. It is made up of 25 statements that participants are required to respond to.

Example statements from the inventory include:

• I feel of equal value to other people, regardless of my performance, looks, IQ, achievements, or possessions (or lack of them).
• I take responsibility for my feelings, emotions, thoughts, and actions. I do not give others credit or blame for how I feel, think, or what I do.
• I learn and grow from my mistakes rather than deny them or use them to confirm my unworthiness.
• I nurture myself with kind, supportive self-talk.

Participants respond with a score between zero and four as follows:

0 = I never think, feel, or behave this way. 1 = I do less than half the time. 2 = I do 50% of the time. 3 = I do more than half the time. 4 = I always think, feel, or behave this way.

After responding to all statements, participants tally their total score, with a higher score indicating a higher level of self-esteem .

3. The Twenty Statements Test

The Twenty Statements Test (Kuhn & McPartland, 1954) was developed to specifically measure self-image as a part of self-concept, although it covers other areas of self-concept too.

The twenty questions probe participants to respond to the question ‘Who am I’ with ‘I am …’ answers. The questions are broken down into five subcategories:

• Social groups and classifications
• Ideological beliefs
• Self-evaluations

Kuhn (1960) states that the majority of responses to the questions could be divided into three groups:

• Social Roles – Responses related to external aspects of the self, for example, ‘I am a mother/daughter/teacher/doctor.’
• Personality Traits – Responses related to internal aspects of the self, for example, ‘I am funny/patient/short-tempered/kind.’
• Physical Descriptions – Responses related to image aspects of the self, for example, ‘I am tall/short/fat/thin.’

Related: 21 Self-Image Examples and Activities to Use the Theory Today

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Exploring self-concept can be a great learning and growth experience for individuals of all ages. Below are three easy to do activities for individuals or groups of any age to help learn more about self-concept.

1. ‘Who Am I?’ Exercise

This is a wonderful introductory exercise that can be used with individuals or groups. The premise is straightforward to replicate, and participants can take as long as they need to complete the initial statements, with plenty of encouragement for discussion.

You will need:

To encourage participants to think more deeply about the ideas and labels they have about themselves.

Provide each participant with a list of statements – suggested amount 15-20 – that ask them to think about who they are. Some example statements include:

• My favorite food is …
• My favorite music is …
• An important person in my life is …
• Something I dislike …
• An idea for my future I have is …

Encourage participants to answer all statements. Ask them to reflect on the answers they choose and why these are important to them. Remind them there are no wrong or right answers, just the opportunity to engage with their sense of self-concept.

2. ‘My Strengths’ Exercise

This exercise is great to encourage participants to start thinking about their self-concept of their strengths in critical areas of life. Again, it is very easy to set up and will enable some great conversations with individuals or groups.

To encourage participants to reflect on their strengths in different key areas.

Provide participants with pen and paper and ask them to divide their paper into four sections with the following headings:

• Interests/Sports
• School/Work

Next, read out some statements that could relate to each of the sections and ask participants to write down the ones they feel most relate to them. Aim for 5-6 statements for each of the four categories. Example statements include:

• I always try my best at school/work.
• I am a caring friend.
• I help out around the house.
• I like to be creative.
• I enjoy team sports.

Once participants get the idea, encourage them to reflect further on the four areas, and write down some of their unique strengths.

3. ‘Three Compliments Journal’ Exercise

This exercise is great for any individual who struggles with self-concept, and who has low self-esteem or low self-image in particular. Similar to many journal exercises; it is easy to implement and consistency is key to its success.

• Journal/notebook

To increase ideas of self-concept – in particular, self-esteem and self-image .

Participants are required to spend 5-10 minutes a day reflecting on three compliments they would give themselves about how they behaved, interacted, engaged, or looked during the day. The compliments can focus on anything they like. The idea is to reflect on the positives about themselves they might otherwise dismiss.

Example compliments could include things like:

• I liked my outfit today, and the compliments I received because of it.
• Today I was kind to the lady in the store and offered to help her with her bags.
• I’m proud of my school/work presentation. My teacher/boss said I did a great job.

Ask participants to repeat this exercise daily, for as long as they need to. Remind them it’s okay if they forget some days and it might be challenging to think of three things at first, but it will get easier over time.

How to build your self image – Proctor Gallagher Institute

There are many online self-concept tests you can take – some are paid, and some are free – and it’s important to know that these tests are only snapshots. Sampling a few different tests will give you a more robust sense of your self-concept.

One of the most popular online tests is the Self-Esteem Test from Psychology Today. This test contains a variety of statements that you will need to respond to. It should take no more than 15 mins to complete.

It is free to take, and you’ll receive a ‘snapshot’ of your results at the end. You can invest in a more in-depth result by paying a small fee.

Besides the previously mentioned assessments, we share three more tests below.

1. Robson Self-Concept Questionnaire

The Robson Self-Concept Questionnaire follows a similar pattern to the previous questionnaires explored in this article. It consists of 30 statements relating to different areas of self-concept. Example statements include:

• I’m glad I am who I am.
• I am reliable.
• It would be boring if I talked about myself.
• I have a pleasant personality.

Participants rate their responses to the statements on a scale of zero to seven with zero being ‘Completely Disagree,’ and seven being ‘Completely Agree.’ A higher score means a higher sense of self-concept.

2. Self Description Questionnaire (SDQ)

The Self-Description Questionnaire was developed by Marsh (1990), and has two formats:

• The SDQI, designed for use with primary school students.
• The SDQII, designed for use with secondary school students.

The SDQ contains 43 statements that participants are required to respond to on a scale of one to five, with one being ‘False’ and five being ‘True.’

• I worry about a lot of things.
• Overall I am a failure.
• I am honest.
• I get along well with my parents.

3. Social Style Questionnaire

This questionnaire follow a slightly different format in how to assess self-concept. Instead of singular statements that ask participants to rate their response, these questionnaire provide two statements and asks participants to select the one they feel is most like them.

The Social Style Questionnaire aims to measure how participants feel they interact with others daily.

Examples of a pair of statements from this questionnaire include:

A. I tend to tell people what is on my mind. B. I tend to keep things to myself.

A. I see myself as playful and fun-loving. B. I see myself as serious and thoughtful.

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In researching this article, I came across a wealth of PDF worksheets and exercises to help you on your way to further exploring self-concept.

Below I’ve shared some of my favorite ones:

1. Therapist Aid – About Me Sentence Completion Worksheet

This is a great introductory worksheet to encourage initial thinking around self-concept. The Sentence Completion Worksheet contains a set of statements that asks participants to reflect and explore different scenarios that made them feel a certain way.

2. Therapist Aid – Strength Exploration Worksheet

This Strength Exploration Worksheet is slightly similar to the ‘My Strengths’ exercise so that it could be used as a great accompaniment. It asks participants to reflect on their strengths in three key areas of life: relationships, profession, and personal fulfillment. Additionally, it includes a more in-depth exploration of strengths under each of the specific headings.

3. Thought Diary for Negative Self-Evaluations Worksheet

The Thought Diary Worksheet can be used as a journal/diary insert and asks participants to reflect on negative self-evaluations they may have about themselves. The worksheet is comprehensive and laid out well to encourage a step by step process through evaluating the idea of self-concept being explored.

Additional reading material includes a selection of 27 books on self-esteem .

Self-concept is such a broad area of psychology, and yet it’s a fascinating one. It really hones in one of the deeper parts of answering that question ‘Who am I?’.

Some of the questionnaires and exercises we’ve visited in this article are more general, so I hope you’ll see these as a great starting point for further exploration and personal growth around your ideas of self-concept.

Have you tried any of these exercises, or know of others that you’ve found particularly beneficial? I’d love to hear about them! Please leave a comment below.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Self Compassion Exercises for free .

• Baumeister, R. F. (1990). The nature and structure of the self: An overview. In R. Baumeister (Ed.), The self in social psychology (pp. 1-20). Philadelphia, PA, US: Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis).
• Goñi, E., Madariaga, J. M., Axpe, I., & Goñi, A. (2011). Structure of the Personal Self-Concept (PSC) Questionnaire. Retrieved from: http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/337/33719289006.pdf
• Kuhn, M. H. & McPartland, T. S. (1954). An Empirical Investigation of Self-Attitudes.
• Kuhn, M. H. (1960). Self-attitudes by age, sex and professional training. Sociological Quarterly, 1 , 39-56.
• Lewis, M. (1990). Self-knowledge and social development in early life. In L. A. Pervin (Ed.), Handbook of personality (pp. 277-300). New York: Guilford.
• Marsh, H. W. (1990). Causal ordering of academic self-concept and academic achievement: A multi-wave, longitudinal panel analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 82 , 646-656.
• Minchekar, V. S. (2019). Academic Self Concept Scale for Adolescents: Development, Reliability, and Validity of ASCS. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331873419_Academic_Self_Concept_Scale_for_Adolescents_Development_Reliability_and_Validity_of_ASCS
• Rogers, C. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality, and interpersonal relationships as developed in the client-centered framework. In (ed.) S. Koch, Psychology: A study of science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the person and the social context. New York: McGraw Hill.
• Saraswat, R. K. (1984). Manual for Self-Concept Questionnaire. Agra, India: National Psychological Corporation.

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What our readers think.

Hi! May I know what database is used for the automatic scoring system of Robson’s Self-concept Questionnaire? I was having a hard time understanding the manual one. Thank you!

you can use this automatic scoring system .

I hope it helps 🙂

Warm regards, Julia | Community Manager

Thank you so much for your response!

This is me again.

May I know what specifc scores the respondents should have in order to know that they have low or high self-concept?

Norms from different studies are provided for comparison. For example, a control group from Robson (1989) had a mean total score of 137.0 (SD = 20.2), while a group of patients with DSM-III Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) had a mean score of 108.0 (SD = 24.8). This information can be used to interpret individual scores in relation to these norms.

I hope this helps 🙂

Hai, how are you? I would like to have some suggestions on the questions which may help my leaners to realize their characters, their weaknesses and help them to formulate their studies. can i put those questins in MS forms in which the students will be answering themself find their Strengths and Weaknesses?

I recommend the VIA Survey of Character Strengths to assess strengths and weaknesses. It is available for free on the VIA Institute on Character website .

Hope this helps! Kind regards, Julia | Community Manager

Hi Nicole. Im Aishah.. Could u plz to advise me Self Concept Questionnaire focus on Activity Physical and Nutrition for Adolescent Student? And which website that I can get for more info? TQ so much

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately I was not able to find a Self-concept questionnaire which includes all the constructs you are looking for. However, this article dives into some of the most relevant self-concept and self-esteem questionnaires.

Additionally, this article explores some of the constructs you mentioned and their relations (self-concept, dietary patterns, and nutrition in adolescents).

I hope this helps!

Kind regards, -Caroline | Community Manager

Hi Nicole, the scales on broad positive psychology themes are very impressive. I would be happy if you could specify or share with me any self-concept scale specifically for teachers. This scale will help me to adapt or to bring out a similar scale on this topic.

Hi Baldwin,

Glad this was helpful for you! Definitely take a look at the Teacher Self-Concept Evaluation Scale by Villa and Calvete (2001): https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-491X(01)00028-1

You can download the paper with the items for free here: https://www.academia.edu/659520/Development_of_the_Teacher_Self_Concept_Evaluation_Scale_and_Its_Relation_to_Burnout

Hope this helps!

– Nicole | Community Manager

Hi Nicole Can you help me how to get permission for Robson self concept questionnaire. I am using this questionnaire for my research. I need permission. Kindly guide me

Thanks for your question. You can find the Robson Self-Concept Questionnaire here . As long as you properly reference the scale, you can use it for your research.

I hope this helps.

– Caroline | Community Manager

Do you have any on line courses which would help in building my self?

We offer a complete Masterclass series that covers themes like self-acceptance and strength development which may be of interest to you. These courses include a workbook, hours of video, and everything else you need to better understand yourself and also teach the material to others. You can find more information about these courses on our store page:

https://pro.positivepsychology.com/product/the-science-of-self-acceptance/ https://pro.positivepsychology.com/product/maximizing-strengths-masterclass/

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Hello! Would you know if I could be given permission to use Academic Self-Concept Scale for Adolescents (ASCS)? Is there a scale intended for younger population? Can you please help me get in touch with the person/people concerned?

The ASCS can be used freely without permission from the author for research purposes.

If you’re looking for an alternative you can use with a younger crowd, Reynold’s (1988) scale has been used with youth 10 years and older: https://youthrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Academic-Self-concept-Scale-1.pdf

Where can I get the range for Robson Self concept questionnaire? to know if one falls in high or low self concept? thank you

Hi Cristine,

You’ll find some population norms for the scale here: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/robson-self-concept-questionnaire/

I’m not aware of any published information stating cut-offs for high and low levels on this measure, but this website indicates that an average score on this measure (within a non-clinical population) is 140. Hopefully that helps a little.

Thank you so much for your reply! Do you know a way where I can contact Robson or people who arebaccountable for the scale?

You’ll find Robson’s contact here: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/phil-robson 🙂

Hii, Can I get the professional self concept scale? will be helpful..

Hi Christina,

Professional self-concept scales tend to be specific to the role type (e.g., nurse, teacher). So can you please let me know the sort of sample you will be administering it to? Then I’ll be happy to advise 🙂

Hii I am looking for theAcademic Self-Concept Scale for Adolescents (ASCS). May you help to needful?

I cannot seem to find this scale online, but you can contact the author of this scale (Vikas Minchekar) via ResearchGate to get a copy of the questionnaire items.

I hope this helps a little!

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Self-Presentation Theory

Self-Presentation Theory: Understanding the Art of Impression Management

In the grand theater of life, where every social interaction is a stage and we are both the actors and the audience, self-presentation theory takes center stage. It whispers the secrets of our performances, the subtle art of crafting personas, and the intricate dance between authenticity and impression. As we pull back the curtain on this psychological narrative, we delve into the depths of human behavior, exploring how the masks we wear and the roles we play are not merely acts of deception but profound expressions of our deepest desires to connect, belong, and be understood in the ever-unfolding drama of existence.

Self-presentation theory, originating from the field of social psychology, delves into the intricate ways individuals strategically convey and portray their desired image to others. This theory explores the underlying motivations and cognitive processes governing how people present themselves in social situations, aiming to understand the dynamics of impression management.

Key Definition:

Self-presentation theory refers to the behavior and strategies individuals use to shape the perceptions that others form about them. This theory suggests that individuals strive to convey a favorable impression to others by managing their public image. It encompasses various aspects such as impression management, identity, and social interaction, and is often associated with social psychology and communication studies. According to this theory, individuals may engage in behaviors such as self-disclosure, performance, and conformity to influence how others perceive them.

Origins and Development

The concept of self-presentation theory was initially formulated by sociologist Erving Goffman, in his seminal work The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life , originally published in 1956. Goffman’s was first to create a specific theory concerning self-presentation, laying the foundation for what is now commonly referred to as impression management. His book became widely known after its publication in the United States in 1959.

Goffman’s theory draws from the imagery of theater to portray the importance of human social interaction. He proposed that in social interactions, individuals perform much like actors on a stage, managing the impressions others form of them by controlling information in various ways. This process involves a “front” where the individual presents themselves in a certain manner, and a “back” where they can step out of their role.

His work has been influential in sociology, social psychology, and anthropology, as it was the first to treat face-to-face interaction as a subject of sociological study. Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis observes a connection between the kinds of acts people put on in their daily life and theatrical performances. The theory has had a lasting impact on our understanding of social behavior and continues to be a significant reference point in studies of social interaction.

Impression Management Strategies

Much of Goffman’s early work suggests that “avoidance of shame is an important, indeed a crucial, motive in virtually all social behavior.” Goffman posits that impression management is typically a greater motivation than rational and instrumental goals. Thomas J. Scheff explains that “one tries to control the impression one makes on others, even others who are not significant to one’s life” ( Scheff, 1997. Kindle location: 4,106 ).

Self-presentation theory encompasses a spectrum of strategies employed by individuals to shape others’ perceptions of them. Impression management strategies in social interaction theory are the various techniques individuals use to influence how others perceive them. Individuals employ these strategies to present themselves in a favorable light. The motivation is to achieve specific goals or maintain certain relationships. Here are some key impression management strategies:

• Self-Promotion : Highlighting one’s own positive qualities, achievements, and skills to be seen as competent and capable.
• Ingratiation : Using flattery or praise to make oneself likable to others, often to gain their favor or approval.
• Exemplification : Demonstrating one’s own moral integrity or dedication to elicit respect and admiration from others.
• Intimidation : Projecting a sense of power or threat to influence others to comply with one’s wishes.
• Supplication : Presenting oneself as weak or needy to elicit sympathy or assistance from others.

These strategies can be assertive, involving active attempts to shape one’s image, or defensive, aimed at protecting one’s image. The choice of strategy depends on the individual’s goals, the context of the interaction, and the nature of the relationship.

The Game of Presentation

In many ways, self-presentation opposes other psychology concepts such as authenticity. We adapt to ur environments, and present ourselves accordingly. We act much different at grandma’s house than we do when out drinking with our friends. Perhaps, authenticity is context dependent. However, we can present ourselves differently in different situations without violating core self-values. The presentations may differ but the self remains unchanged.

Carl Jung mused in reflection of his childhood interactions with his friends that, “I found that they alienated me from myself. When I was with them I became different from the way I was at home.” He continues, “it seemed to me that the change in myself was due to the influence of my schoolfellows, who somehow misled me or compelled me to be different from what I thought I was” ( Jung, 2011 ).

Jonathan Haidt suggests that it is merely game. He wrote, “to win at this game you must present your best possible self to others. You must appear virtuous, whether or not you are, and you must gain the benefits of cooperation whether or not you deserve them.” He continues to warn “but everyone else is playing the same game, so you must also play defense—you must be wary of others’ self-presentations, and of their efforts to claim more for themselves than they deserve” ( Haidt, 2003. Kindle location: 1,361 ).

Healthy and Unhealthy Modes of Self-Presentation

We all self-present, creating images that fit the context. While seeking a partner, we self-present a person who is worthy of investing time in. Only in time, do some of these masks begin to fade. Impression management is essential to build new relationships, get the job, and prevent social rejection. Mahzarin R, Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald wrote, “honesty may be an overrated virtue. If you decided to report all of your flaws to friends and to apply a similar standard of total honesty when talking to others about their shortcomings, you might soon find that you no longer have friends.” they continue, “our daily social lives demand, and generally receive, repeated lubrication with a certain amount of untruthfulness, which keeps the gears of social interaction meshing smoothly” ( Banaji & Greenwald, 2016, pp. 28-29 ).

However, this healthy practice morphs into something sinister when the presented self has nothing to do with the real self. Daniel Goleman refers to individuals that engage in unhealthy deceitful presentations as social chameleons. He wrote, “the social chameleon will seem to be whatever those he is with seem to want. The sign that someone falls into this pattern…is that they make an excellent impression, yet have few stable or satisfying intimate relationships” ( Golman, 2011. Kindle location: 2,519 ).

Goleman explains that “a more healthy pattern, of course, is to balance being true to oneself with social skills, using them with integrity.” He adds, “social chameleons, though, don’t mind in the least saying one thing and doing another, if that will win them social approval” ( Goleman, 2011. Kindle location: 2,523 ).

Situational Influences

The application of self-presentation strategies is contingent upon the social context and the specific goals an individual pursues. In professional settings, individuals may engage in self-promotion to advance their careers, while in personal relationships, they might prioritize authenticity and sincerity. The ubiquity of social media further complicates self-presentation, as individuals navigate the curation of online personas and the management of digital identities.

In the professional realm, the strategic presentation of oneself can play a crucial role in career development and success. This may involve showcasing one’s achievements, skills, and expertise to stand out in a competitive environment. However, it’s important to strike a balance between self-promotion and humility to maintain credibility and foster positive professional relationships.

On the other hand, personal relationships often thrive on genuine connections and authenticity. In these contexts, individuals may choose to present themselves in a sincere manner, emphasizing vulnerability and openness to establish meaningful connections with others. While occasional self-promotion may still occur, the emphasis is more on building trust and rapport.

Social Media and Self-Presentation

The rise of social media has introduced a new layer of complexity to self-presentation. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer opportunities for individuals to craft their virtual identities. This process involves selective sharing of information, curation of posts and images, and the management of online interactions. The challenge lies in maintaining a balance between projecting an aspirational image and staying true to one’s authentic self in the digital sphere.

In Goffman’s lengthy comparison between actors and audience suggests that anyone could perform, presenting a certain image. However, he points out that if the actor is a known criminal the audience would not be able to accept their performance, knowing it is a fraud. The actor may enjoy success by going on the road, performing to audiences that are not aware of the actor’s criminal past ( Goffman, 1956, p. 223 ). The internet allows the individual with a shady past to bring their show on the road to an unsuspecting audience who can buy their deceitful performance.

Navigating these diverse self-presentation strategies requires individuals to be mindful of the specific social contexts and their underlying goals. Whether it’s in the professional arena or personal relationships, the nuanced art of self-presentation continues to evolve in the digital age, shaping how individuals perceive and position themselves in the world.

Self-Presentation and Emotional Labor

The intersection of self-presentation theory with emotional labor is a topic of significant interest. Emotional labor pertains to the management of one’s emotions to meet the demands of a particular role or job. Individuals often engage in self-presentation to display appropriate emotions in various settings, leading to a convergence between impression management and emotional regulation. One of the key aspects of this intersection is the impact it has on employee well-being.

Research has shown that the need to regulate emotions in the workplace can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Additionally, there are important implications for organizations, as they have a vested interest in understanding and managing the emotional labor of their employees. Effective programs may enhance employee well-being and improve the quality of service provided to customers. Moreover, the intersection of self-presentation and emotional labor can also be examined through the lens of gender and cultural differences. These examination may highlight the complexities and nuances of this phenomenon in diverse contexts. Understanding this intersection is crucial for creating supportive work environments and fostering healthy, sustainable emotional practices.

See Emotional Labor for more on this topic

Implications and Future Directions

Understanding self-presentation theory has widespread implications, spanning from interpersonal relationships to organizational dynamics. By acknowledging the nuanced strategies individuals employ to shape perceptions, psychologists and practitioners can better grasp human behavior in diverse contexts. Future research may delve into the interplay between self-presentation and cultural factors. In addition, further research may cast light on the psychological effects of sustained impression management on individuals’ well-being.

As individuals, we can understand that we, as well as others, use impression management. Before investing significant resources, we would be wise to try to unmask the presenter and make a decision based on reality rather than expertely presented deceptions.

A List of Practical Implications

Understanding the concepts related to self-presentation theory, such as impression management, self-concept, and social identity, has several practical implications in everyday life:

• Enhanced Social Interactions : By being aware of how we present ourselves, we can navigate social situations more effectively, tailoring our behavior to suit different contexts and relationships.
• Improved Professional Relationships : In the workplace, understanding self-presentation can help in managing professional personas, leading to better workplace dynamics and career advancement.
• Personal Development : Recognizing the strategies we use for impression management can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth, as we align our external presentation with our internal values.
• Conflict Resolution : Awareness of self-presentation strategies can aid in resolving conflicts by understanding the motivations behind others’ behaviors and addressing the underlying issues.
• Mental Health : Understanding the effort involved in emotional labor and impression management can help in identifying when these efforts are leading to stress or burnout, prompting us to seek support or make changes.
• Authentic Relationships : By balancing self-presentation with authenticity, we can foster deeper and more genuine connections with others.
• Cultural Competence : Recognizing the role of social identity in self-presentation can enhance our sensitivity to cultural differences and improve cross-cultural communication.

Overall, these concepts can empower us to be more intentional in our interactions, leading to more fulfilling and effective communication in our personal and professional lives.

Associated Psychological Concepts to Self-Presentation Theory

Self-presentation theory is intricately connected to a variety of psychological concepts that help explain the behaviors and motivations behind how individuals present themselves to others. Here are some related concepts:

• Self-Concept : This refers to how people perceive themselves and their awareness of who they are. Self-presentation is often a reflection of one’s self-concept, as individuals attempt to project an image that aligns with their self-perception.
• Impression Management : This is the process by which individuals attempt to control the impressions others form of them. It involves a variety of strategies to influence others’ perceptions in a way that is favorable to the individual.
• Social Identity : The part of an individual’s self-concept derived from their membership in social groups. Self-presentation can be used to highlight certain aspects of one’s social identity.
• Cognitive Dissonance : This occurs when there is a discrepancy between one’s beliefs and behaviors. Self-presentation strategies may be employed to reduce cognitive dissonance by aligning one’s outward behavior with internal beliefs.
• Role Theory : Suggests that individuals behave in ways that align with the expectations of the social roles they occupy. Self-presentation can be seen as performing the appropriate role in a given context.
• Self-Es teem : The value one places on oneself. Self-presentation can be a means to enhance or protect one’s self-esteem by controlling how others view them.
• Self-Efficacy : One’s belief in their ability to succeed. Through self-presentation, individuals may seek to project confidence and competence to others, thereby reinforcing their own sense of self-efficacy.

These concepts are interrelated and contribute to the understanding of self-presentation theory as a whole, providing insight into the complex nature of social interactions and the motivations behind individuals’ efforts to influence how they are perceived by others.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In essence, self-presentation theory captures the multifaceted nature of human interaction, shedding light on the conscious and subconscious processes governing how individuals present themselves in the social arena. By unraveling the intricacies of impression management, researchers continue to unveil the complexities of human behavior and the underlying motivations that propel our interactions with others.

Last Update: April 29, 2024

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References:

Goffman, Erving (1956/ 2021 ). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Anchor

Goleman, Daniel ( 2005 ). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books . Read on Kindle Books.

Haidt, Jonathan ( 2003 ). The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. Basic Books ; 1st edition.

Jung, Carl Gustav (1961/ 2011 ). Memories, Dreams, Reflections. Vintage ; Reissue edition.

Banaji, Mahzarin R.; Greenwald, Anthony G. ( 2016 ). Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People.  Bantam ; Reprint edition.

Scheff, Thomas J. ( 1997 ). Shame in Social Theory. Editors Lansky, M. R. and Morrison, A. P. In The Widening Scope of Shame. ​ Routledge ; 1st edition.

Resources and Articles

Please visit Psychology Fanatic’s vast selection of articles , definitions and database of referenced books .

* Many of the quotes from books come books I have read cover to cover. I created an extensive library of notes from these books. I make reference to these books when using them to support or add to an article topic. Most of these books I read on a kindle reader. The Kindle location references seen through Psychology Fanatic is how kindle notes saves my highlights.

The peer reviewed article references mostly come from Deepdyve . This is the periodical database that I have subscribe to for nearly a decade. Over the last couple of years, I have added a DOI reference to cited articles for the reader’s convenience and reference.

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas About Me Slides: How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

About Me Slides: How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

From conference talks to client demos, it’s always essential to include an About Me slide in any presentation you are giving. Introducing yourself early into the presentation helps build a better rapport with the audience.

You can start with several fun facts about me slide to break the ice or go for a more formal professional bio to explain your background and what makes you qualified to talk about the topic at hand. At any rate, your goal is to get the audience on your side by revealing some of your personality. 

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation: 4 Approaches 

It’s a good practice to include self-introduction slides at the beginning of your presentation. If you are looking to answer how to introduce yourself professionally, typically somewhere after the title, opening slide , and the main agenda. However, the presentation structure will be somewhat different depending on whether you are presenting to a new audience or a group of people familiar with (e.g., your team, clients, or business partners). 

Here are four about me slide ideas you can try out, plus an About me template you can use to present yourself in a presentation. 

1. Mention Your Name and Affiliations

Start with the introduction basics. State your name, company, title/position, and several quick facts about who you are and what you do. Even if you present to a familiar audience, a brief recap is always welcome. 

To keep things a bit more engaging, consider adding some lesser-known facts about yourself. For example:

• Your interests 
• Recent accomplishments
• Testimonial/quote from a team member 
• Fun nicknames you got 

The above can be nice ice breakers for less formal team presentations, project updates, or catch-ups with clients. 

Here are several unique About Me examples you can try out:

For a client case study presentation : 

“Hi, I’m Lynda, Chief Customer Success Specialist with Acme Corp. (Also, someone you thought was a chatbot for the first few encounters)

47 NPS | 15% Churn Rate | 40% repeat purchase rate”

For a team after-action review presentation :

Mike, Project Manager at Cool Project

(aka Maximizer)

Personal Project stats:

387 Slack messages answered

56 cups of coffee consumed

Project profit gross margin: $1.2 million 

2. Work On Your Elevator Pitch 

One of the best ways to introduce yourself in a presentation is to share a punchy elevator pitch. This works extra well if you are presenting to a new audience. 

An elevator pitch is a concise statement (1-2 sentences) that summarizes your unique strengths, skills, and abilities and explains how these can benefit your listener. 

It’s nice to have one ready for your presentations and networking in general since it helps you immediately connect with new people and communicate your value. 

Writing a solid elevator pitch may require several attempts and iterations. But the sooner you start — the faster you’ll arrive at the best formula! 

To get your creative juices flowing, here are several elevator pitch ideas you can incorporate in an introduction slide about yourself. 

For professionals: 

“Certified Salesforce Administrator, data visualization specialist, and analytics for top SaaS brands. I help businesses make more sense of their data to drive better outcomes”.

For a mentor :

“Adjunct professor of creative writing at Columbia University, published author, former lifestyle editor at Esquire, the New York Times. I can teach you how to find, shape, pitch, and publish stories for web & print.”

For a student: 

“Third-year Marine Biology student at Denver State Uni. Volunteer at Lake Life Protection NGO, climate change activist, looking to expand my research about water conservation”.

3. Answer Popular Questions or Assumptions 

If you are a frequent presenter , chances are you get asked a lot of the same “About Me questions” after your speeches and during the networking bits. So why not address a roaster of these in your About Me slide? Select 4-5 most common questions and list them as quick FAQs on your slide deck. 

4. Focus on Telling a Story 

Strong introductions are personable. They are meant to offer a sneak-peak into your personality and the passion behind your work. That’s why for less formal presentations, you can (and should!) start with a short personal story. 

Remember: reliability is important to “click” with your audience. 

For instance, neuroscience research of political ads recently found that ads featuring real people performed better than those with genetic stock footage. Among viewers, emotional engagement and memory encoding (recall) increased dramatically when political ads showed relatable people. 

The same holds true for commerce. In 2015, GE launched a viral “What’s the Matter With Owen?” video ad series to attract more young talent to the company. The clips featured a relatable protagonist, struggling to explain what his work at GE entails e.g. that the company isn’t building railroads, but actually does some very innovative pilots. Many engineers related to the promo and work applications to GE shoot up by 800% ! 

As the above examples show, a good relatable story can go a long way. So think about how you can make a PowerPoint presentation about yourself more representative of who you really are as a person. 

How to Give a Presentation About Yourself: 4 Fool-Proof Tips

On other occasions, you may be asked to give a full-length “about me” presentation. Typically, this is the case during a second interview, onboarding , or if you are in attending a training program or workshop where everyone needs to present themselves and their work. 

Obviously, you’ll need more than one good about me slide in this case. So here’s how to prepare a superb presentation about me. 

What to Put in a Presentation About Yourself?

The audience will expect to learn a mix of personal and professional facts about you. Thus, it’s a good idea to include the following information: 

• Your name, contact info, website , social media handles, digital portfolio .
• Short bio or some interesting snippets. 
• Career timeline (if applicable).
• Main achievements (preferably quantifiable).
• Education, special training.
• Digital badging awards , accolades, and other types of recognition.
• Something more personal — an interest, hobby, aspiration. 

The above mix of items will change a bit, depending on whether you are giving an interview presentation about yourself or introduce yourself post-hiring. For example, in some cases a dedicated bio slide may be useful, but other times focusing on main achievements and goals can be better.

That being said, let’s take a closer look at how to organize the above information in a memorable presentation. 

P.S. Grab an about me slide template to make the design process easier! 

1. Create a List of “Facts About Me”

The easiest way to answer the “tell me about yourself” question is by having an array of facts you can easily fetch from your brain. 

When it comes to a full-length about me presentation , it’s best to have a longer list ready. To keep your brainstorming process productive, organize all your ideas in the following buckets: 

• Key skills (soft and hard)
• Educational accolades, training
• Accomplishments and other “bragging rights”
• Personal tidbits (a.k.a. fun facts ) 

Once you have a list, it gets easier to build a series of slides around it. 

2. Think Like Your Audience 

Most likely you’d be asked to make a presentation about yourself by a recruiter. There’s a good reason why many ask this — they want to determine if you are a good “cultural fit” for their organization. 

After all, 33% of people quit within the first 3 months of accepting a new job. Among these:

• 43% of employees quit because their day-to-day role was different than what they were told it would be during the hiring process.
• 32% cite company culture as a factor for leaving within the first three months. 

About me presentations often serve as an extra “filter” helping both parties ensure that they are on the same page expectations- and work style-wise. Thus, when you prepare your slide deck, do some background company research. Then try to align the presentation with it by matching the company tone, communication style, and cultural values. 

3. Include Testimonials and Recommendations

Use the voice of others to back up the claims you are making in your presentation. After all, trumping your own horn is what you are expected to do in such a presentation. But the voices of others can strengthen the claims you are personally making. 

Depending on your role and industry, try to sprinkle some of the following testimonials: 

• LinkedIn recommendations
• Quotes from personal or professional references
• Social media comments 
• Data metrics of your performance
• Funny assessments from your colleagues/friends 

The above not just strengthen your narrative, but also help the audience learn some extras about you and your background. Testimonial slides can be of help for this purpose.

4. Include a Case Study 

One of the best ways to illustrate who you are is to show what you are best in. Remember, an about me presentation often needs to “soft sell” your qualifications, experience, and personality. 

One of the best ways to do that is to showcase how you can feel in a specific need and solve issues the business is facing. 

So if you have the timeframe, use some of the ending slides to deliver a quick case study. You can present: 

• Short retrospective of a past successful project
• Before-after transformations you’ve achieved 
• Spotlight of the main accomplishments within the previous role 
• Main customer results obtained
• Specific solution delivered by you (or the team you’ve worked with) 

Ending your presentation on such a high note will leave the audience positively impressed and wondering what results you could achieve for them.

To Conclude 

It’s easy to feel stumped when you are asked to talk about yourself. Because there are so many things you could mention (but not necessarily should). At the same time, you don’t want to make your introduction sound like a bragging context. So always think from the position of your audience. Do the facts you choose to share benefit them in any way? If yes, place them confidently on your About Me slides! 

1. Personal Self Introduction PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Self Introduction PowerPoint Template

3. Meet the Team PowerPoint Template Slides

4. Introduce Company Profile PowerPoint Template

5. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

6. Modern Resume Presentation Template

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When you give a presentation, it is important to remember the whole package, and that means how you present yourself as well as how you present the material.

It is not good to spend hours and hours preparing a wonderful presentation and neglect the effect of your own appearance.

Whether you like it or not, people make judgements about you based on your appearance.

These judgements may be conscious or subconscious, but they all affect how, and whether, your audience is prepared to take on board your message as presenter.

Our pages on Personal Appearance and Personal Presentation explain the importance of presenting yourself effectively, more generally. This page focuses on the impact of self-presentation in presentations.

The Importance of Expectations

When you stand up to give a presentation, the audience already has certain expectations about how you will behave, and what you will say.

These expectations may be based on the event, the marketing, their knowledge of you, or their previous experience more generally.

Expectations may also be based on societal norms, such as business people are expected to wear suits.

You don’t have to match people’s expectations, of course, but you do need to be aware that, if you don’t, they are going to have to spend time processing that difference. This mismatch will take some of their concentration away from your message.

You also need to be aware that people can only take so much discomfort.

A mismatch between expectations and reality can even lead to a situation called cognitive dissonance , where individuals come into contact with something — whether idea, person, or belief — that causes them to question their own internal beliefs and values.

This can be very uncomfortable, and the normal reaction is to try to avoid it. In a presentation situation, that's going to mean either leaving or just not listening, neither of which is ideal.

This is particularly important if you want to say something that your audience will find difficult to hear.

If you want to say something outrageous, wear a suit.

The late Dr Joe Jaina, Organisational Psychologist at Cranfield School of Management.

Aspects of Personal Presentation

Your personal presentation includes:

• Accessories, which in this context means anything that you’re carrying or wearing, including your notes, although it also includes luggage, bags, phones, jewellery, watches, and scarves;
• Body language; and

Your clothes are probably the most obvious aspect of personal presentation.

In deciding what to wear, there are several things to consider:

What does the audience expect?

It’s not actually as simple as ‘wear a business suit’, because this may not always be appropriate.

It does depend what your audience is expecting. On some occasions, or in some industries, smart casual may be much more appropriate. If you’re not sure, ask the organisers about the dress code. You can also ask someone who has been to the event before, or have a look online.

If it’s a regular event, there will almost certainly be photographs of previous occasions and you can see what other people have worn.

Within the audience’s expectations, what will make you feel comfortable?

You will present best if you are fairly relaxed, so you need to find a balance between the audience’s expectations, and feeling comfortable.

For example, you may have a particular suit that you think makes you look good. For women, it’s also worth thinking about shoes: you’re going to have to stand for the duration of the session, so make sure that you can do that.

If you’re not used to heels, don’t wear them.

Your accessories should be consistent with your clothes.

That doesn’t mean that your bag needs to be the same colour as your jacket.  However, if you’re wearing a suit, your notes should be in a briefcase or smart bag, and you’re not carrying a backpack or plastic carrier bag. Again, it’s about not distracting your audience from your message.

Likewise, your notes should be part of your thinking. Producing a dog-eared sheaf of paper is not going to help you project a good image. Papers tend to flap about, whereas cue cards can be held on your hand, which is why it is worth considering using cue cards, or even memorising most of what you’re going to say and using your visual aids as cues.

See our page: Managing your Presentation Notes for more on this.

The Importance of Self-Presentation

In 2005, the Conservative Party in the UK faced a leadership election as leader Michael Howard announced that he would step down. The actual election was held between October and December that year. In October, at the Conservative Party Conference, each of the announced candidates was given an opportunity to make a 20-minute speech.

Before the speeches, David Davis was very much the front-runner in the competition. However, his conference speech was considered poor. He spoke from notes, and never really came alive. David Cameron, a more junior member of the party and considered by many an outside chance as leader, made a speech that set the hall alight. He spoke without notes, and with passion, presenting himself as the young, upcoming potential leader who could take the party in a new direction.

By the following morning, the bookies had David Cameron as the front-runner and he went on to win the leadership election.

Self-Presentation also Includes Body Language and Voice.

While there are many important elements of body language, perhaps the most important is to project self-confidence .

You need to demonstrate that you believe in what you’re saying. Otherwise, why would anyone else believe it?

For more about this, and other aspects of body language that may help your communication, see our pages on Managing a Presentation Event and Non-Verbal Communication .

Part of projecting self-belief is being able to control your voice, and speak slowly and clearly. You also need to vary your tone and pace to keep people interested.

For more about this, see our page on Effective Speaking .

In conclusion…

When you are making a presentation, you are presenting a package: you and your message. The more you are aware of the impact of every element, the more effective the package will be as a whole.

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation [with Examples]

In this post, we are going to cover the best way, a very simple three-step process that will help you introduce yourself in a presentation. A summary of the steps is below.

• Start with your name and company (or organization or school).
• Tell your audience what problem you can solve for them.
• Share some type of proof (social proof works best) that you can solve this problem.

I will break down each step into a simple-to-follow process. But first… a little background.

First, Identify What Your Audience Wants from Your Presentation

So, before you design your introduction, think about what your audience wants from your presentation. Why do they want to spend their valuable time listening to you? Are going to waste their time? Or, are you going to provide them with something valuable?

For instance, I have expertise in a number of different areas. I’m a public speaking coach, a keynote speaker, a best-selling author, a search engine optimization specialist, and a popular podcaster. However, if I delivered that sentence to any audience, the most likely reaction would be, “So what?” That sentence doesn’t answer any of the above questions. The statement is also really “me-focused” not “audience-focused.”

So, when I start to design my self-introduction, I want to focus just on the area of expertise related to my topic. I’m then going to answer the questions above about that particular topic. Once you have these answers, set them aside for a second. They will be important later.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation in Class.

Instead, you probably want to add in a fun way to start a speech . For example, instead of introducing yourself in your class speech and starting in an awkward way, start with a startling statistic. Or start with a summary of your conclusion. Or, you could start the presentation with an inspirational quote.

Each of these presentation starters will help you lower your nervousness and decrease your awkwardness.

If you are delivering a speech in a speech competition or to an audience who doesn’t know you try this technique. Just introduce yourself by saying your name , the school you represent , and your topic . Make it easy. This way you get to your content more quickly and lower your nervousness.

Typically, after you get the first few sentences out of the way, your nervousness will drop dramatically. Since your name, school, and topic should be very easy to remember, this takes the pressure off you during the most nervous moments.

Obviously, follow the guidelines that your teacher or coach gives you. (The competition may have specific ways they want you to introduce yourself.)

How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Presentation — A Step-by-Step Guide.

In a professional setting, when new people walk into a meeting and don’t know what to expect, they will feel uncomfortable. The easiest way to ease some of that tension is to chat with your audience as they come into the room.

By the way, if you are looking for a template for an Elevator Speech , make sure to click this link.

Step #1: Start with your name and company name (or organization).

This one is easy. Just tell your audience your name and the organization that you are representing. If your organization is not a well-known brand name, you might add a short clarifying description. For instance, most people outside of the training industry have never heard of The Leader’s Institute ®. So, my step #1 might sound something like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company…

Still short and sweet, but a little more clear to someone who has never heard of my company.

Should you give your job title? Well… Maybe and sometimes. Add your title into the introduction only if your title adds to your credibility.

For example, if you are delivering a financial presentation and you are the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of your company, you might mention that. Your title adds to your credibility. However, if the CFO is delivering a presentation about the value of joining a trade association, the CFO title adds little credibility. So, there is very little value in adding the title.

Step #2: Tell your audience what problem you can solve for them.

For instance, if my topic is how to deliver presentations, I have to determine why the audience would care. What problem will they have that I can help them with? For my audiences, the problem that I most often help people with is how to eliminate public speaking fear. Once I have the problem, I add that to my introduction by using the words, “I help people…”

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear.

However, if my topic is How to Close a Higher Percentage of Sales Presentations , I’d likely want to alter my introduction a little. I might say something like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people design more persuasive sales presentations.

I have expertise in both areas. However, I focus my introduction on just the expertise that is applicable to this audience. If I gave the first introduction to the second audience, they will likely respond by thinking, well, I don’t really get nervous speaking, so I guess I can tune out of this speech .

So, create a problem statement starting with, “I help people…” Make the statement apply to what your audience really wants.

Step #3: Share some type of proof (social proof works best) that you can solve this problem.

By the way, if you just do steps #1 and #2, your introduction will be better than most that you will hear. However, if you add Step #3, you will gain more respect (and attention) from your audience. Without adding some type of proof that you can solve this problem, you are just giving your opinion that you are an expert. However, if you can prove it, you are also proving that you are an expert.

This is the tricky part. For some reason, most people who get to this part feel like they haven’t accomplished great things, so they diminish the great accomplishments that they do have.

For instance, an easy way to offer proof is with a personal story of how you have solved that problem in the past.

A Few Examples of How to Introduce Yourself Before a Presentation.

For instance, one of my early clients was a young accountant. When I was working with him, he came up with the following introduction, “I’m Gary Gorman with Gorman and Associates CPA’s, and I help small businesses avoid IRS audits.” It was a great, audience-focused attention-getter. (No one wants to get audited.) However, as an accountant, it wasn’t like his company was getting a lot of five-star reviews on Yelp! So, he was kind of struggling with his social proof. So, I asked him a series of questions.

Me, “How many clients do you have?”

Gary, “Over 300.”

Me, “How many small business tax returns have you processed?”

Gary, “Well, at least a couple hundred a year for 15 years.”

Me, “So, at least 3000?” He nodded. “How many of your 300 clients have been audited since you have been representing them?”

He looked at me and said, “Well, none.”

So, we just added that piece of proof to his talk of introduction.

I’m Gary Gorman with Gorman and Associates CPA’s, and I help small businesses avoid IRS audits. In fact, in my career, I’ve helped clients complete over 3000 tax returns, and not a single one has ever been audited.

Here Is How I Adjust My Introduction Based on What I Want the Audience to Do.

For my proof, I have a number of options. Just like Gary, I have had a lot of clients who have had great successes. In addition, I have published two best-selling books about public speaking. I also have hundreds of thousands of people who listen to my podcast each week. So, I can pick my evidence based on what I want my audience to do.

For instance, if I’m speaking at a convention, and I want the audience to come by my booth to purchase my books, my introduction might sound like this.

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. One of the things that I’m most know for is being the author of two best-selling books, Fearless Presentations and Mastering Presentations.

However, if I’m leading a webinar, I may want the audience to purchase a seat in one of my classes. In that case, my introduction might sound like this.

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. For instance, for the last 20 years, I’ve taught public speaking classes to over 20,000 people, and I haven’t had a single person fail to reduce their nervousness significantly in just two days.

If my goal is to get the audience to subscribe to my podcast, my intro might sound like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. One of the ways that I do this is with my weekly podcast called, Fearless Presentations, which has over one million downloads, so far.

Use the Form Below to Organize How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation.

The point is that you want to design your introduction in a way that makes people pause and think, “Really? That sounds pretty good.” You want to avoid introductions that make your audience think, “So what?”

If you have a speech coming up and need a good introduction, complete the form below. We will send you your answers via email!

Can You Replace Your Introduction with a PowerPoint Slide?

Is it okay to make your first slide (or second slide) in your presentation slides an introduction? Sure. A good public speaker will often add an introduction slide with a biography, portrait, and maybe even contact information. I sometimes do this myself.

However, I NEVER read the slide to my audience. I often just have it showing while I deliver the short introduction using the guide above. This is a great way to share more of your work experience without sounding like you are bragging.

For tips about how many powerpoint slides to use in a presentation , click here.

Remember that There Is a Big Difference Between Your Introduction in a Presentation and Your Presentation Starter.

When you introduce yourself in a presentation, you will often just use a single sentence to tell the audience who you are. You only use this intro if the audience doesn’t know who you are. Your presentation starter, though, is quite different. Your presentation starter should be a brief introduction with relevant details about what you will cover in your presentation.

For details, see Great Ways to Start a Presentation . In that post, we show ways to get the attention of the audience. We also give examples of how to use an interesting hook, personal stories, and how to use humor to start a presentation.

Podcasts , presentation skills

View More Posts By Category: Free Public Speaking Tips | leadership tips | Online Courses | Past Fearless Presentations ® Classes | Podcasts | presentation skills | Uncategorized

How to Introduce Yourself Confidently! Self-Introduction Tips & Samples

You might be thinking that you introduce yourself to people all the time, so surely you don’t need a guide about it. However, there are ways that you can give a self-introduction to send across the right sort of message.

Shuffling into a room and murmuring your name just loud enough to be audible is going to say something quite different than if you strode in with your hand outstretched and your shoulders back. Yes, body language plays a big part in introducing yourself too of course, but language itself is important in conveying the right sort of message to your audience too. First, we’ll take a look at what self-introduction is all about, before giving some tips that’ll help you introduce yourself more effectively.

What is Self-Introduction?

What do you say when you meet someone new? Introduce yourself of course!

Self-introduction is simply the act of introducing yourself to someone else. You might just be introducing yourself to a new person you have never met before, or you might be introducing yourself to hundreds of people in a conference room. Thankfully, both situations actually require the same sort of language and body language to introduce yourself in a way that is both confident, and clear. The two things you should definitely aim to be when introducing yourself to others.

Introducing yourself is much more than saying your name . You need to tell some more information about yourself in English. Introducing yourself to strangers can be tricky because what you say depends on the context, situation (in a job interview, in an email, or give self-introduction in an English class).

In this lesson, you will learn how to confidently introduce yourself in English.

How to Introduce Yourself

General tips.

The tips listed here will apply to almost every situation where you need to introduce yourself. We’ll get more specific later, but for now, let’s focus on the things you can do every time you need to introduce yourself to somebody new:

• State who you are clearly . Try not to mumble or else the person you’re introducing yourself to might have to ask again… and again… and again… until they simply smile and nod without ever knowing what your name is.
• Be friendly . Even in formal situations, you can be friendly. Saying something like “ Hi there , I’m…” with a smile says a lot about you. You seem confident and easy to talk to. If you were in a very formal setting you might say “Hello, I am…” the point is you should introduce yourself in a way that is approachable. Very formal settings might require you to use ‘proper’ English (no contraction’s etc.) but in most other areas shortening words is fine.
• Know your audience . It doesn’t matter if you’re speaking to one person or a thousand, knowing your audience is key. Obviously, if you’re introducing yourself you don’t know  the person, but from context you should have an idea about how they are going to be. Meeting the in-laws for the first time probably isn’t the best time to tell a joke as you introduce yourself, but meeting a friend of a friend at the bar might be.
• If you are sitting when you first meet somebody you are going to introduce yourself to, then it’s always best to stand if you are able. It’s often seen as the polite thing to do, so it’s a way that you can use body language to impress the person you are introducing yourself to.

Let me introduce myself!

Tips For The Student In Class

Introducing yourself to a class full of people is universally acknowledged as being people’s worst nightmare. That being said, you can make things a lot easier for yourself by following these simple tips:

• Be prepared . Know that as you head into a new class, you  are  going to have to say something about yourself, however much you don’t want to. So, beforehand have a think about what you might say. Is there a reason you’ve taken the class? Is there a hobby you’ve always done that relates to the class?
• Smile . Everybody in the room is dreading introducing themselves too, so smile and create a relaxed atmosphere in yourself, and others will follow suit and smile too.
• Look around the room . Trust us, we know. We want to put our eyes to the floor when introducing ourselves to a class too, but take a deep breath and force your eyes up and look around the room at the faces watching you. By doing this, you’re already making yourself seem more confident. Speak clearly as you state your name, your reason for being there, and your hobbies, and people will already feel like they know you a little better.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

Most of what we have discussed is relevant to introducing yourself in a job interview too, but here are a few extra tips:

• A firm handshake as you enter the room already makes the interviewer think that you are somebody who should be taken seriously. Follow this up with a friendly smile and stating your name and you’ll already be off to a great start.
• Listen ! This is so important in interviews. The art of conversation lies predominantly in the gaps between your speeches. Listen with intent so you can answer questions directly. Also, listen so you can adapt. If you think you’re going to be the first person to talk as you enter the interview room, but they start speaking first, then let them. Nobody will think bad of you for not speaking first, you’d certainly look a lot worse if you spoke over them the whole time.

Also, learn the big five personality traits you can use to define who you are in a job interview.

Learn how to answer the most common job interview questions .

Self-Introduction Examples

Introducing yourself in class.

“Hi, I’m Jane. I’m taking this class because Art History has always been something I’ve been fascinated by, ever since I started taking trips to art galleries as a little girl, and I’m basically just excited to learn a little more.

Simply saying something like this with a smile, will be all the introduction you need.

Self-Introduction in Interview

Something similar to this would work well in answer to that dreaded “Tell me about yourself” question that interviewers love so much.

“Hi, I’m Jane Smith. I’ve always been passionate about Art, and I actually majored in Art History at college last year. Ever since, I’ve been pursuing my dream of becoming an Art handler so I can really work in an area I know a great deal about. So when I saw your job advertisement I couldn’t stop myself from applying.”

Here you’ve introduced yourself clearly, told them exactly what your interests are, and sold yourself as the ideal person for the job.

“Hi, I’m Jane Smith. I help restore and preserve art. Just last week I actually worked on ‘The White Bridge’ by John Smith and I’ve led various projects throughout the years too. What I’m looking for now is to move into an area of Art where I have opportunities to create art of my own, as well as preserve other people’s. Do you have any thoughts about how I might achieve that?”

In networking it’s important to state what you do, what you’ve done, and what you want to do. Networking is all about introducing who you are in a way that can show you off as a resource to others, but somebody who is open to new connections to help achieve what you want too.

These are very specific examples, but if you include the tips we have pointed out above too, you’ll see that introducing yourself really doesn’t have to be hard. Be confident, speak clearly, and know what you might say, and you’ve already won half the battle.

Introduce Yourself | Samples

Introduce your name.

Question : What’s your name?

• My name is …/ I’m …
• My full/ first/ last name is …
• You can call me …/ They call me …/ Please call me …/ Everyone calls me …
• My nickname is …

Introduce Your Country

Questions :

Where are you from?/ Where do you come from?

Where were you born?

• I’m from …/ I hail from …/ I come from …/ My hometown is …/ I’m originally from … ( country )
• I’m … ( nationality )
• I was born in …

Introduce Your Address

Question : Where do you live?/ What’s your address?

• I live in … / My address is … (city)
• I live on … (name) street.
• I live at …
• I spent most of my life in …
• I have lived in … for/ since …
• I grew up in …

Introduce Your Age

Question : How old are you?

• I’m … years old.
• I’m over/ almost/ nearly …
• I am around your age.
• I’m in my early twenties/ late thirties.

Introduce Your Family

How many people are there in your family ?

Who do you live with?/ With whom do you live?

Do you have any siblings?

• There are … (number) people in my family . They are …
• There are … (number) of us in my family.
• My family has … (number) people.
• I live with my …
• I am the only child.
• I don’t have any siblings.
• I have … brothers and … (number) sister.

Introduce Your Birthday/Phone number

What is your date of birth?/ When is your birthday?

What is your phone number?

• My birthday is on …
• My phone number is …

Introduce Your Jobs

What do you do?/ What do you do for living?/ What’s your job ?/ What sort of work do you do?/ What line of work are you in?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

• I am a/ an …
• I work as a/ an …
• I work for (company) … as a/ an …
• I’m unemployed./ I am out of work./ I have been made redundant./ I am between jobs.
• I earn my living as a/ an …
• I am looking for a job. / I am looking for work.
• I’m retired.
• I would like to be a/ an …/ I want to be a/ an …
• I used to work as a/ an … at … (places)
• I just started as … in the … department.
• I work in/at a … (places)
• I have been working in … (city) for … years.

Useful jobs for self-introduction : teacher, nurse, secretary, manager, cleaner, policeman, builder, engineer, businessman, firefighter, postman, doctor, architect, farmer, …

Useful places : bank, factory, supermarket, museum, hospital, shop, gallery, …

Self Introduction Sample! How to Introduce Yourself in English – Image 2

Introduce Your Hobbies

Questions:  

What’s your hobby?/ What do you like?/ What do you like to do?/ What’s your favorite … ?

• I like/ love/ enjoy/ … (sports/ movies/ …/)
• I am interested in …
• I am good at …
• My hobby is …/ I am interesting in …
• My hobbies are …/ My hobby is …
• My favorite sport is …
• My favorite color is …
• I have a passion for …
• My favorite place is …
• I sometimes go to … (places), I like it because …
• I don’t like/ dislike/ hate …
• My favorite food/drink is …
• My favorite singer/ band is …
• My favorite day of the week is … because …

Because: (self-introduction sample)

• there are many things to see and do
• This is one of the most beautiful places I have been visited.
• I can relax there
• it’s relaxing/ popular/ nice/ …

Hobbies – Free time activities for self-introduction.

• Reading, painting, drawing
• Playing computer games
• Surfing the Internet
• Collecting stamps/ coins/ …
• Going to the cinema
• Playing with friends
• Chatting with best friends
• Going to the park/ beach/ zoo/ museum/ …
• Listening to music
• Shopping, singing, dancing, travelling, camping, hiking, …

Movies : action movies, comedy, romance, horror, document, thriller, cartoons, …

Sports : volleyball, badminton, tennis, yoga, cycling, running, fishing, …

Questions:   What do you like doing in your free time?/ What do you do in your spare time?

• In my free time, I like …
• I like … when I’m free.
• At weekends I sometimes go to … (places)

Introduce Your Education

Where do you study?

What do you study? / What is your major?

• I’m a student at … ( school )
• I study at …/ I am at …/ I go to … (school)
• I study … (majors)
• My major is …

Majors in English: accounting, advertising, arts, biology, economics, history, humanities, marketing, journalism, sociology, philosophy, …

Why do you study English?

Do you speak English?

How long have you been learning English?/ How long have you learned English?

• I study English because …
• I can speak English very well.
• I’ve been learning English for/ since …
• I can express myself and communicate in English.
• I like it a lot
• I think it’s important
• It’s very important and necessary.
• I want to learn more about this language.
• I love to improve my English skills.

Which grade are you in?

Which year are you in?

• I’m in … grade.
• I’m in my first/ second/ third/ final year.
• I am a freshman.
• I graduated from …/ My previous school was …

Question: What’s your favorite subject?

• My favorite subject is …
• I am good at … (subjects)

Subjects:  Maths, English, Physics, Physical Education, Science, Music, …

Introduce Your Marital status

Questions: What is your marital status?

Are you married?

Do you have a boyfriend/ girlfriend?

• I’m married/ single/ engaged/ divorced.
• I’m not seeing/ dating anyone.
• I’m not ready for a serious relationship.
• I’m going out with a … (someone)
• I’m in a relationship./ I’m in an open relationship.
• It’s complicated.
• I have a boyfriend/ girlfriend/ lover/ …
• I’m in love with … (someone)
• I’m going through a divorce.
• I have a husband/ wife.
• I’m a happily married man/ woman.
• I have a happy/ unhappy marriage.
• My wife/ husband and I, we’re separated.
• I am available.
• I haven’t found what I’m looking for.
• I’m ready for a rebound relationship.
• I’m a widow/ widower.
• I’m still looking for the one.
• I (don’t) have … (number) children.

Introduce Your Personality Traits

• I am a … person/ I’m … (character & personality)
• My best quality is … (character & personality)

Character & Personality for self-introduction: brave, calm, gentle, courteous, creative, hard-working, rude, unfriendly, unreliable, lazy, stingy, insensitive, …

Also learn an extensive list of adjectives to describe yourself . 

• I’ve got a … (pet)
• My best friend’s name is …
• I (don’t) have … (number) international friends.
• My dream is …

Pets : dog, puppy, mouse, rabbit, cat, goldfish, …

Self-Introduction Samples

How to introduce yourself casually | self introduction.

Self-Introduction Samples for Students

Let Me Introduce Myself! Learn how to introduce yourself in an English class.

How to Introduce Yourself | Video Guide

Learn how to give self-introduction in English with video lesson .

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Top 10 Templates for Presentation About Myself with Samples and Examples

Deepika Dhaka

As a job seeker or professional, you are all too familiar with the classic icebreaker question, “Tell me about yourself.” This four-word question is hard to answer every time you hear it.

Perhaps because we are complicated and we’re asked (on the spot) to make ourselves sound simple yet smarter! At that point in time, you are just able to say, “Hi, my name is XYZ, and I am the Marketing Executive at ABC.” But who are you beyond that?

Why is it that one of the most basic elements of business communication becomes one of the most complicated ones? As you ponder this timeless puzzle, just remember that introductions are important for your professional life. They are like your new business card and are the fuel of the first interaction that creates someone’s perception of you. These interactions create an impression that impacts your relationship with your clients, leads, colleagues, and employers.

Your first impression has the potential to make or break a business connection. It’s just too easy to make a bad first impression on someone; you don’t even have to try hard. Making a good first impression, however, is that much more difficult. Hence, you must put some extra effort into your introductions to become the interviewing panel’s first choice or submit your CV to yet another company.

Presentation About Myself Template

Wondering how to make a strong first impression and leave an everlasting impact? The solution is to have it prepared. Don’t wing it, and have an introduction prepared for any professional occasion. You'll discover some of the most powerful ‘Presentations About Myself’ in this blog that you can use to introduce yourself to other professionals at the workplace and top management after having aced that interview.

All these PowerPoint Presentations are customizable to your needs. Let’s explore these content-ready presentations now!

Template 1: Sample Presentation About Myself

If you want to build your personal branding as an individual and want your audience to get to know you better, this presentation about myself is exactly what you need. It includes all important components of a personal introduction, such as: About me; my career; my own SWOT analysis; achievements & training; skillset; hobbies; and much more. Plus, there's plenty of space for other details your introduction should include. Download it today to introduce yourself in the most impressive way possible!

Download this presentation

Template 2: Presentation About Myself Example

Whether you're applying for a new job or pitching your services to a potential client, it's essential to present yourself in a professional and engaging way. This PowerPoint Presentation About Myself Template is the perfect way to do just that! It includes exclusive slides with graphics such as graphs, tables, timelines, and roadmaps so you can present details in an impressive manner. You can also include a case study on your past experience to showcase your expertise. Get this presentation template today and stay ahead of the competition!

Template 3:  PPT Presentation About Myself

Creating a presentation about yourself may seem like a daunting task. After all, talking about yourself is a nerve-racking experience for even experienced speakers. But when you take the help of this ‘Presentation About Myself Sample’ to prepare and plan ahead, you can nail it. With this content-ready template, you can present a compelling demonstration about yourself. This PPT deck sets include a special slide for the agenda and also contains graphics and visuals for describing hobbies, career, skill set, and more. Also containing a SWOT analysis, this PowerPoint Template is meant for long-lasting impact and immense recall value.

Template 4: Best Presentation on Myself

Introducing one of the best presentations on myself to help you land your dream job or seal the deal with the desired client. From conference talks to client demos, you can use this design to pitch about yourself in a fool-proof manner, and it will help you build a rapport with the audience. This PPT Presentation is created using blue hues with a splash of red to give your slideshow a professional appearance. Get it today to give your career a perfect head-start.

Template 5: 10 Minutes Presentation About Myself

If you're struggling to find a new job, look no further! We have the perfect solution for you. Our 10-minute presentation about myself is what you need to promote yourself in interviews and business meetings. With some basic components of an introduction, it also entails additional elements. This content-ready PPT Template will help you stand out. This download includes complementary slides for languages known, portfolios, career roadmaps, hobbies, and other self-marketing documents. Get it now and make your presentation look professional and informative. Hurry up!

Template 6: Presentation About Myself Template

Use this self-introduction presentation to demonstrate your professional talents and abilities to your interviewer. This PPT design includes infographic slides that you may use to emphasize your SWOT analysis, educational background, work experience, training, internships, skill sets, and language proficiency. To showcase your case studies and project experience, you can employ this infographic layout and bring your viewer's attention to your expertise areas. Elaborate on your career advancement over the years with a mention of your key achievements on the career roadmap. Download now!

Template 7: Presentation About Myself for Interview

If you consider yourself an expert in a particular field and want to move one step ahead at a senior position, then this template is for you. This consolidated layout can give a chance to your future employer to assess your abilities and analyze your competencies. You can present your skills and experience using this visual resume-like PPT layout. You can include any project experiences you wish and place a good picture of yours to showcase your personality. Grab it today to start your climb up the ladder to success.

Template 8: Presentation of Yourself

Want to save time and have your introduction ready on an urgent basis? Try this basic presentation to introduce yourself and develop a killer personal USP that will get you the job you want. Using this template with minimal design, you can showcase your personal statement as a message that echoes throughout the stages of recruitment. It encompasses the elements of a perfect introduction and sets a tone of professionalism. Download it today for a quick five-minute presentation about yourself!

Template 9: Presentation About Yourself

In a meeting or an interview, you might get asked, “What differentiates you from others.” What could be a better answer than this powerful ‘Presentation About Yourself’ to answer this complex question? You must explore this framework to grab your audience's attention and describe your professional achievements in a convincing manner. Professionals, worldwide, have used it to great impact. Don’t miss out on this helpful resource. Download today!

Template 10: PowerPoint Template for Presentation About Myself

Employers want to know one thing from you: How hiring you will benefit them? With this example Presentation About Yourself, you get an opportunity to describe the advantage of hiring yourself in an influencing manner. Use this powerful template to convince them how you can save their time, money, and effort. Recruiters love facts and figures, and this design just lets you showcase these with the help of graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams. Download this PPT Presentation to include a bunch of statistics to enhance your appeal as an employee!

Download this presentation .

No 2 nd Chance in First Impression

People buy people, but what they're really buying is your personal brand. Your brand informs others about who you are, what you offer, and how distinct you are from everyone else.

Considering you never get a second chance to make a first impression, you should begin SlideTeaming your details to get a prominent "Presentation About Myself" today to ace all your future meetings, conferences, and interviews.

Download any of these PowerPoint Templates once and make them yours forever. You can customize these anytime, depending upon what people in the board room expect from you.

PS If you wish to present your achievements in an unforgettable way, here’s an amazing collection of Autobiography Templates to assist you.

FAQs on ‘Presentation About Myself’

What should a presentation about myself include.

An ideal presentation about myself should include the following information about the person:

• A bit about the kind of person you are
• Own SWOT Analysis
• Achievements and training
• Qualification
• Language Skills

Adding these details will help you create an impactful introduction about yourself for any interview or meeting.

How to introduce yourself in an interview?

Introducing oneself in the proper way may significantly enhance your chances of being hired by a firm. A well-structured "Presentation About Myself" Template is one of the most effective ways to succeed at this activity. Using a pre-designed template will assist you in creating an impressive introduction and will provide you with valuable graphics to present the data and information in an attractive way.

How to introduce yourself as a manager to a new team?

As a new manager, establishing rapport with your staff is critical. The following ideas can assist you in making a terrific first impression.

• Learn about your team.
• Stay positive.
• Dress appropriately for the job.
• Pay attention to your team.
• Share your story
• Be clear about your expectations from the team.
• Identify roadblocks.
• Ask them questions, or let them ask you the questions.
• Prepare a presentation about yourself.

What are the tips for introducing yourself in a professional setting?

In the case of a professional setting, you should take care of the following things:

• Talk about who you are and what you do.
• Make it relevant
• Talk about your contribution
• Stick to the context
• Go beyond what your title is
• Take care of body language
• Wrap up on a positive note

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Top 10 personal introduction slide templates to make yourself unforgettable.

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These 20 Questions Can Help You Boost Your Self-Awareness

It's time to take a look in the mirror

Marco_Piunti / Getty Images

For many people, their 20’s and 30’s are a time of exploration and self-discovery. We talk about taking the time to find out more about who we are, and while we're at it, venture to become more self-aware. But in reality, research shows only 10-15% of people actually possess true self-awareness .

“Self-awareness is our ability to understand our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, and how they affect our behaviors. A self-aware person knows their strengths, weaknesses, and areas in their life that need significant improvement. They are aware of the reasons behind their decisions and can be objective in how they evaluate themselves, explains Rachel Goldberg , licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy.

Self-awareness is an important quality that impacts us in every area of life. A keen understanding of your own thoughts and feelings, and how they affect others, can be invaluable. We take a look at questions you can ask yourself to boost your self-awareness.

Why It's Better to Be Self-aware

It’s hard to articulate our wants and needs to others when you don’t know or understand them yourself. It's also hard to know how you are coming across to other people. Taking the time to get to know yourself better impacts you physically, mentally, and emotionally.

• When you're more self-aware you do a better job regulating your emotions and communicating those feelings to others. “It increases our ability to manage our reactions to various situations,” says Goldberg.
• Self-awareness gives you a better sense of who you are. “Self-awareness benefits the development of a sense of self. Values and beliefs are not clear without a cohesive sense of self,” states Nicole Issa , PsyD, Founder and licensed clinical psychologist at the Center for Dynamic and Behavioral Therapy.
• When you know and appreciate who you are, strengths and weaknesses, quirks, and all, you have a greater sense of confidence . “It improves our self-esteem and confidence by helping us understand what we value and desire and make changes to our behavior to align with those,” Goldberg notes.
• Self-discovery through self-awareness also helps you experience personal growth. You’ve taken the time to get to know the areas where you need improvement, and even understand what may or may not work for you to achieve that growth.
• You learn how to manage stress, deal with anxiety , and exercise boundaries. “Without self-awareness, the motivation to take care of yourself is lacking and so having this capability leads to generally improved health and fitness,” Dr. Issa says.

Taking time to be introspective, to think and process your thoughts and feelings, not only helps you, but those around you. Experts have seen the benefits of self-awareness firsthand.

Rachel Goldberg, LMFT

“Self-awareness is our ability to understand our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, and how they affect our behaviors. A self-aware person knows their strengths, weaknesses, and areas in their life that need significant improvement.

“I once worked with a client who was unable to see how her anxiety was impacting her work performance. By asking a series of poignant questions that got to the heart of her desire for safety (via over-planning, documenting, and re-reading), she was first able to see how these behaviors were impacting others on the team,” explains Kelly L. Campbell , Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach. “In reality, her team perceived her as competent, knowledgeable, friendly, and trustworthy. Both her self-awareness and confidence were boosted in the process.”

Twenty Questions to Ask Yourself to Boost Your Self-Awareness

How am I feeling right now? Asking this question “leads to increased self-awareness as you shift your focus to yourself and reflect on what may be happening in a given moment,” explains Dr. Issa.

What is causing me to feel this way? Taking the time to look beyond your feelings and dive into the reason behind them can help you to be more in touch with your emotions and your responses.

What would other people say that they love about me? Asking yourself this question can allow you to hone in on your strongest qualities, and be aware of areas where you have the most positive impact.

What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? “Reflecting on strengths and limitations provides a balanced view of yourself so you can honor both and continue to develop,” notes Saba Harouni Lurie. LMFT, Owner and Founder of Take Root Therapy . What drains me? What invigorates me? “ Think about the situations that lead to changes in energy levels. This is a direct form of self-awareness and allows you to avoid burn out and to plan effectively for the future,” Dr. Issa says.

What do I need right now? Have you ever been grumpy and irritable, only to realize you’ve gone an entire day without eating? Or have you ever been working on a project, and noticed that you feel overwhelmed? What do you need in that moment?

“ What's one thing about your past that you'd want to heal? ” asks Campbell. This question “gets straight to the point and moves toward a commitment to make a change.” It may also help you recognize other places in your life where you need healing. Is this something I want to do? Why or why not? Sometimes we do things out of habit, or expectation. But is it something you truly want to do?

How do I treat other people who can’t do anything for me? This question gives a strong look at your character.

“ Are there behaviors I exhibit that don’t align with my current values and beliefs? ” asks Goldberg. This is a great question that allows you to really think about why you act in certain ways, especially if they don’t align with who you want to be.

Are my behaviors self-sabotaging? Are you doing things that keep you from achieving the happiness that you want? Is there something in your past that causes you to behave this way?

How do I express my emotions? Do I bottle them inside? Do I lash out? Thinking about this question will help you become more aware of your actions, the reason behind them, and how they affect those around you.

“ What is preventing me from achieving success? One aspect of self-awareness is to understand the impact of yourself on, well, yourself. "If you are having trouble with time management at work or thinking clearly, you are fostering self-awareness and can then take steps to improve these areas such as learning coping skills and improved self-care,” Dr. Issa advises.

Are my relationships healthy? Do I feel appreciated in this relationship? Do I value and respect the other person? Answers to these questions can give you insight into areas where you need development and growth, and what improvements you would like to see.

What am I afraid of, and how do I let that fear impact me? Fears can cause us to miss opportunities or make decisions based on emotions and not facts. If you become aware that you do this, you can take active steps to make changes.

“ What traits in myself would I not want in a partner, and why? ” Goldberg asks. “This allows us to take a bird's eye view of how we show up in relationships and if it’s something we personally would want in someone else.”

What motivates me? Asking yourself this question can be very telling. More money may motivate someone to take a job; for you, having greater flexibility is more important.

How do others describe me? Are their descriptions accurate? Depending on how you feel about what others say, it can cause you to delve deeper into how your words and actions impact others.

How do I act when you get defensive ? This question boosts your awareness of your coping mechanisms and gives you insight into whether they are healthy or not.

When do I feel inferior or unworthy? You can discover an area where you need more growth and development by asking this question.

Keep in Mind

Frequent conflicts in relationships, difficulty controlling emotions, inability to apologize when you’ve done something wrong, and poor decision-making skills can also clue you in to the fact that you could benefit from introspection. Once you see the rewards in your own life, it can become easier to work on being more self-aware.

“Self-awareness isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s an ongoing process. It involves continuously reflecting on yourself and recognizing that it can be challenging to pinpoint your motivations or feelings at times. However, with persistent curiosity and effort, gaining a deeper understanding of your values, how you present yourself, and how you can grow becomes easier and more tolerable and leads to a more intentional life ,” Goldberg concludes.

Eurich T. What self-awareness really is(And how to cultivate it) . Harvard Business Review. Published online January 4, 2018.

Top 10 Icebreakers For Your Next Presentation

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

If you are here, this is your sign to elevate your presentations from mundane to memorable with our guide on icebreakers for your next presentation. Are you tired of the same old routine when it comes to presentations? Are you looking for ways to captivate your audience, foster connections, and ensure your message doesn’t fall flat? Well, look no further because we’ve got the secret ingredient to transform your next presentation from mundane to memorable: Icebreakers!

In this blog, we’ll explore a treasure trove of icebreaking techniques to transform even the iciest of atmospheres into a vibrant and engaged audience. So, whether you’re a seasoned presenter or stepping onto the stage for the first time, get ready to discover the magic of icebreakers and watch your presentations come to life!

Why Icebreakers are Important?

Did You Know “ Icebreakers have an ancient history dating back to ancient Greece, where they employed “paradoxography,” a storytelling form, to engage and entertain participants during gatherings?”

Breaking the ice is like warming up a room full of strangers, it’s the catalyst for transforming uncomfortable moments into meaningful connections!” 

Picture this scenario: you are in a professional setting, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and it feels as if you are in uncharted territory. That is when someone proposes an icebreaker activity. Suddenly, you are engaged in a thought-provoking exercise, sharing insights, and gradually forming strong professional bonds.

Icebreakers are an essential tool in any social or professional setting, as they help to break down barriers, encourage interaction, and create a positive and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are hosting a meeting, a workshop, a team-building event, or a conference, incorporating icebreakers can greatly enhance the overall experience for participants. In this blog post, we will explore the key points highlighting the importance of icebreakers and their numerous benefits.

Breaking the Ice

The primary purpose of an icebreaker is to break the ice between participants who may not know each other or who may feel hesitant to engage in conversation. By facilitating an initial interaction, icebreakers help to create a sense of familiarity, ease, and connection among attendees. They provide an opportunity for individuals to share a bit about themselves, their interests, and their backgrounds, which can lead to finding common ground and sparking conversation.

Building Trust and Relationships

Icebreakers play a crucial role in building trust and relationships within a group. When participants engage in icebreaker activities, they become more comfortable with each other, which encourages open communication and collaboration. Icebreakers foster a sense of trust and create a safe space for individuals to express themselves and share their thoughts and ideas. This improved trust and rapport can greatly enhance teamwork and collaboration throughout an event or project.

Energizing Participants

Icebreakers are an excellent tool for energizing participants and increasing their engagement. They help to shift the atmosphere from one of formality or initial awkwardness to one of energy and excitement. Icebreakers inject fun and enthusiasm into the event or meeting, making it more enjoyable and memorable for all involved. They also help to boost participants’ energy levels and attention span, ensuring that they are fully engaged and present throughout the entire duration of the activity.

Encouraging Creativity and Innovation

Icebreakers often involve out-of-the-box thinking, creative problem-solving, and innovative approaches. By engaging in activities that challenge participants to think differently or explore new perspectives, icebreakers stimulate creativity and innovation. They inspire individuals to break free from rigid thinking patterns and embrace fresh ideas. This creative environment can lead to more innovative solutions, insights, and outcomes further into the event or project.

Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity

Icebreakers are inclusive by nature, allowing individuals from various backgrounds and with different perspectives to come together and participate equally. They create a space where everyone’s voice can be heard, regardless of their role, hierarchy, or experience. Icebreakers can also be adapted to accommodate cultural differences and ensure that all participants feel comfortable and respected. By promoting inclusivity and diversity, icebreakers help to create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment for all.

Enhancing Learning and Retention

Here’s an interesting tidbit: People tend to remember information better when it’s associated with a positive or enjoyable experience. Icebreakers create a positive atmosphere, making your key points more likely to stick in your audience’s minds.

When participants are actively engaged and emotionally connected, they are more likely to absorb and retain information. Icebreakers help to create an optimal learning environment by providing an opportunity for participants to become actively involved in the experience. By warming up the mind and priming it for learning, icebreakers can significantly enhance knowledge retention and application.

How to Choose the Right Icebreaker?

Icebreakers are a crucial aspect of any event or gathering, as they help break down barriers, encourage interaction, and create a positive atmosphere among participants. However, choosing the right icebreaker can be a challenging task, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some practical tips and examples to help you make the best choice for your audience.

1. Consider the Audience

The first step in choosing the right icebreaker is to consider the size and diversity of your audience. Different icebreakers work better for different group sizes and compositions. For example, an icebreaker suitable for a small team might not be as effective for a large conference. Take into account factors such as age, occupation, and cultural background to ensure that your icebreaker resonates with everyone present.

2. Align with the Event Theme and Objective

Next, consider the theme and objective of your event. An icebreaker that complements the purpose of the gathering or relates to its theme can set the right tone and create a sense of relevance among participants. For instance, if you are hosting a professional networking event, a suitable icebreaker could be asking attendees to share something about themselves that is not typically found on their professional profiles, as commonly done on LinkedIn.

3. Time and Space Constraints

The available time and space for your icebreaker activity will also impact your choice. Consider the duration of the event, whether it is a short meeting, a full-day workshop, or a multi-day conference. Tailor your icebreaker accordingly, ensuring that it is engaging but not time-consuming. Additionally, consider the physical space and ensure that the icebreaker can be executed comfortably within the given environment.

4. Familiarity and Comfort Levels

The level of familiarity and comfort among your attendees is an essential factor to consider. Icebreakers work best when they encourage participants to step slightly out of their comfort zones. However, it’s crucial to strike the right balance to avoid any discomfort or resistance. If your audience is particularly introverted or unfamiliar with each other, opt for icebreakers that are low-pressure, quick, and personal. Asking attendees to share a community or cause that holds personal meaning, as often done in Facebook Groups, can create a sense of connection without being overwhelming.

5. Be Prepared to Adapt

Lastly, be prepared to adapt and adjust the icebreaker if necessary. Sometimes, despite careful planning, an icebreaker may not work as expected or may require modifications while in progress. Stay flexible and open to making changes on the spot if needed. Being attentive to the participants’ engagement and reactions will help you gauge the effectiveness of the icebreaker and make any necessary tweaks.

6. Asking the Right Questions

• To choose the most suitable icebreaker for your event, ask yourself and your team relevant questions:
• What do my audience members like and dislike?
• What icebreakers have worked well in the past for similar groups?
• What icebreakers have they already experienced or seen before?
• What specific goal do I want to achieve through the icebreaker?

By asking these questions and conducting proper research, you can gather ideas and options that align with your audience’s preferences and the goals of your event. Combine your findings with your own experiences and observations to choose the icebreaker that is most likely to create a positive and engaging experience for everyone involved.

What is a Good Icebreaker for a presentation?

A good Icebreaker sets the pace for an effective and memorable presentation. It isn’t boring nor is it routine. It excites and energizes as you start with a bang. Here are 10 examples of the best Icebreakers in the field:

• The 5 great icebreaker questions?
• One-Word Icebreaker Game
• What’s in the Bag Icebreaker
• Two Truths and a Lie:
• Speed Networking:
• Would You Rather
• Human Bingo
• Scavenger Hunts
• Non-cringeworthy icebreaker- “Two Truths and a Dream”

1. The 5 great icebreaker questions

  What is one thing you hope to accomplish in today’s meeting?

This question sets the stage for a productive discussion by encouraging participants to clarify their goals. It also helps the meeting facilitator tailor the agenda to address these expectations. For example, someone might say, “I hope to gain clarity on the project timeline,” which signals to the group that timeline discussions are a priority.

What is one word that describes how you feel about the upcoming project?

This question allows participants to express their emotional stance regarding the project, fostering transparency and empathy within the team. Responses can vary widely, from “excited” and “optimistic” to “apprehensive” or “curious.” Understanding each other’s emotions can aid in gauging the team’s overall morale.

Share one personal or professional success you’ve had since our last meeting.

This question promotes a culture of celebration and acknowledgment within the team. Participants can share accomplishments, whether big or small, that have occurred since the previous meeting. It encourages positivity and recognition of individual and collective achievements.

What is one challenge you anticipate facing in the upcoming weeks?

Anticipating challenges is crucial for proactive problem-solving. By discussing potential obstacles beforehand, teams can strategize and support each other more effectively. For instance, someone might mention, “I foresee difficulties in aligning our schedules for the project kickoff.”

What’s a book, podcast, or article you’ve found inspiring lately?

This is a powerful icebreaker that not only promotes knowledge sharing but also opens the door to meaningful discussions and interesting recommendations. This question sets a positive and engaging tone for meetings, promoting empathy, and providing valuable resources beyond the session. It’s a simple yet effective way to tap into the collective wisdom of the group while nurturing a culture of curiosity and inspiration.

2. One-Word Icebreaker Game:

Choose one word to describe your weekend.

• This prompt encourages participants to reflect briefly on their personal experiences. Responses could range from “relaxing” and “productive” to “adventurous” or “restful.” It provides insight into individual weekend experiences and sets a friendly, informal tone for the meeting.

Pick one word that captures your goals for the coming year.

• Participants can express their aspirations succinctly, like “growth,” “innovation,” “balance,” or “learning.” This exercise promotes goal sharing and may uncover common objectives or themes among team members.

Select one word that best represents your work style.

• This prompt encourages participants to self-reflect on their work approach. Words like “collaborative,” “methodical,” “adaptive,” or “focused” can offer insights into team dynamics and help in understanding each other’s strengths.

Fun One-Word to Describe Yourself Icebreaker:

• Choose one word to describe your personality.
• Share one word that sums up your morning so far.
• Pick one word that represents your favorite hobby or activity.
• This icebreaker is versatile and can be adapted to various contexts, allowing participants to share something about themselves in a concise, engaging manner. It’s a fun way to get to know each other better.

3. What’s in the Bag Icebreaker:

In this icebreaker, a bag contains various objects that participants can draw from. Each object represents a different aspect of the meeting or project. For example:

• A stress ball to represent managing project pressures.
• A puzzle piece to symbolize problem-solving.
• A pen to represent communication and collaboration.

When someone draws an object, they must relate it to their perspective on the meeting or project. This activity encourages creative thinking and adds an element of surprise and engagement.

These icebreakers help create an inclusive and interactive atmosphere, enabling participants to connect on both a personal and professional level. Feel free to customize these questions and activities to fit your specific meeting or event goals.

4. Two Truths and a Lie:

“Two Truths and a Lie” is a classic icebreaker that encourages participants to share interesting facts about themselves while adding a bit of mystery. Here’s how it works:

• Each participant takes turns sharing two true statements about themselves and one false statement.
• The other participants then try to guess which statement is the lie.
• The reveal follows, where the person reveals the false statement and shares the actual truth behind it.

Example: Participant A says:

• “I once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.”
• “I’m fluent in three languages.”
• “I have a pet elephant.”

Participants B and C might guess that statement 3 (“I have a pet elephant”) is a lie. After the reveal, Participant A explains that they’ve never had a pet elephant, but they did climb Mount Kilimanjaro and are indeed fluent in three languages.

5. Speed Networking:

Speed networking is a structured, fast-paced activity designed to help participants make meaningful professional connections within a short time frame. Here’s how it typically works:

• Participants are paired up for a set amount of time (e.g., 3-5 minutes).
• During this time, they introduce themselves, discuss their professions, and exchange contact information.
• After the allotted time, participants switch partners until everyone has interacted with multiple people.

Example: In a speed networking event for entrepreneurs, participants A and B have a 3-minute conversation. They discuss their business ideas, challenges they’ve faced, and potential areas of collaboration. Once the timer goes off, they exchange business cards and move on to meet new people.

6. Would You Rather:

“Would You Rather” is a fun icebreaker that encourages participants to make choices and share their reasoning. Here’s how it works:

• Each participant receives a card with two options (e.g., “Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?”).
• They must choose one option and explain why they made that choice.
• This icebreaker can lead to interesting discussions and insights into participants’ preferences.

Example: Participant A receives a card with the question, “Would you rather travel back in time or visit the future?” They choose to travel to the future because they’re excited to see technological advancements. Participant A then shares their reasoning with the group.

7. Human Bingo:

Human Bingo is a great icebreaker for large groups. Each participant receives a bingo card with different characteristics or experiences, such as “Has traveled to five countries” or “Speaks more than two languages.” Participants mingle and try to find people who match the descriptions on their cards. When they find a match, they write that person’s name in the corresponding bingo square.

Example: Participant A’s bingo card includes the statement, “Has run a marathon.” They approach Participant B, who has indeed run a marathon. Participant A writes Participant B’s name in that square. The goal is to fill in as many squares as possible and shout “Bingo!” when they do.

8. Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt is an interactive icebreaker that involves participants searching for specific items or completing tasks within a set time frame. It can be done indoors or outdoors, and participants can work individually or in teams. The organizer provides a list of items or tasks, and participants race to find them.

Example: In an office-based scavenger hunt, participants might receive a list that includes tasks like “Find a red stapler” or “Take a selfie with a colleague from a different department.” The first person or team to complete all the tasks wins.

These icebreakers serve various purposes, from fostering connections and networking to sparking creativity and promoting engagement. They can be adapted to suit the specific goals and preferences of your event or meeting, making them versatile tools for building rapport and enhancing interactions among participants.

9. What are some fun facts for Icebreakers?

Facts make for fantastic icebreakers because they’re like little windows into each person’s unique world. Sharing a fact about oneself or a fascinating tidbit of knowledge not only sparks conversation but also fosters a sense of curiosity and connection. Facts are the bridges that allow individuals to relate to one another, creating a dynamic and engaging ice-breaking experience that goes beyond small talk.

– The first recorded speeding ticket in 1896 clocked in at just over 8 miles per hour, a far cry from today’s traffic violations.

– In the English language, “E” takes the crown as the most common letter, appearing in 11% of all words. Meanwhile, “A” follows closely behind at 8.5%, while the letter “Q” is a rarity, showing up in only 0.2% of words.

– While many are familiar with animals like dogs and horses in police service worldwide, some regions in China employ geese for their noisy and disruptive qualities to help maintain street order and deter criminals.

– Hailstorms are a natural occurrence, but on planets like Saturn and Jupiter, lightning strikes carbon soot, transforming it into graphite. Under immense pressure during storms, this graphite converts into diamond hail, creating extraordinary diamond storms.

– Philanthropist Bill Gates, a part of the Giving Pledge initiative, has donated approximately $30 billion to non-profits and has saved over six million lives through healthcare and vaccination initiatives. This inspiring effort has garnered the support of 231 philanthropists.

– Scotland has adopted the unicorn, despite never having seen one in person, as its national animal. This mythical creature holds a special place in Scottish history, surpassing even the famous Loch Ness Monster in cultural significance.

Professional fun facts about yourself 

Another way you can use fun facts as an icebreaker is by introducing yourself with a fun fact. It can be a great ice-breaking activity as everyone introduces themselves with an interesting fact. These examples can help you develop your fun fact answers that provide others with a clearer background of your professional goals, accomplishments, or experience:

• The bravest thing I’ve ever done was give a product demonstration to a live audience of over one thousand people.
• My role model is my dad because he immigrated to Canada when he was only 18, got a job right away, and worked hard to provide for our family.
• I have worked in marketing for over half my life.
• I have traveled to over 30 countries for business. My favorite one was Japan because they have a lot of delicious food.
• The first time I ever moved away from home was participating in a job internship 500 miles away from my hometown.
• I’m reading a book about financial technology to familiarize myself with the industry and its ongoing trends.
• I speak four languages: English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
• I was 17 when I got my first job at a fast-food restaurant, which helped me develop leadership, communication, and listening skills.
• My favorite subject in school was English, so I decided to become a writer.
• I once set the record for most products sold in one day during my previous sales job.

What is an Icebreaker that is not cringe?

A non-cringeworthy icebreaker fosters a positive and comfortable atmosphere, encourages interaction, and is relevant to the context. Here’s an example of a simple and effective icebreaker: An advanced and superior substitute of the Two Truths and a Lie icebreaker- which is called:

10. “Two Truths and a Dream”

In this icebreaker, participants share two facts about themselves and one aspirational dream or goal. This not only helps break the ice but also allows people to get to know each other on a more personal level and can lead to meaningful conversations.

Here’s how it works:

Each participant thinks of two true statements about themselves. These can be related to their personal life, hobbies, or professional background. They also think of one aspirational dream or goal they have for the future. It could be related to their career, personal growth, or a lifelong dream. Participants take turns sharing their two truths and one dream with the group. The challenge for the others is to guess which statement is the dream.

For example, someone might say:

• “I’ve traveled to five different countries.”
• “I’m learning to play the guitar.”
• “My dream is to start my non-profit organization.”

This icebreaker is effective because it allows people to share something personal and positive while also sparking curiosity and conversation. It’s not cringe-inducing and can lead to genuine connections among participants.

When to use Icebreakers?

Icebreakers are powerful tools to infuse fun and interaction into various situations. Here’s a quick guide on when to deploy them:

• Meeting Kick-Off : Start your meetings with icebreakers to get everyone engaged and set a positive tone. For example, “Two Truths and a Lie” can break the ice effectively.
• Team-building Events: During team-building activities, icebreakers help foster connections and boost team spirit. “Human Bingo” is a fun choice.
• Workshops and Training: In training sessions or workshops, icebreakers inject energy and creativity. “Would You Rather” questions can spark interesting discussions.
• Conferences and Networking: At conferences or networking events, icebreakers like “Speed Networking” facilitate connections and break the ice among attendees.
• Remote Meetings : In virtual settings, icebreakers bridge gaps and build camaraderie. Use questions like “Share your most unique quarantine hobby.”
• Post-Lunch Slump Buster: Combat post-lunch drowsiness by using icebreakers like “One-Word Icebreaker” to re-energize participants.

Icebreakers are not just for breaking awkward silences; they’re valuable tools to enhance engagement and connections across various scenarios.

How to Facilitate Icebreakers?

As the host or facilitator of the event, you have an important role in making the icebreakers successful. You’re the captain of the icebreaking ship, steering it towards success. Your role is pivotal in ensuring everyone has a great time. Start by preparing meticulously; you’re the conductor, and your baton must be in perfect sync with the icebreaker’s rhythm. When you step into the spotlight, introduce yourself with enthusiasm and clarity, setting the stage for what’s to come. Like a wise guide, explain the rules and what’s expected, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.

Equip participants with the necessary tools and materials, just as a host provides guests with all they need. Throughout the activity, be the energy monitor, adjusting the tempo to keep the vibe lively. Like an appreciative audience, provide feedback and recognition, highlighting the stars of the show. Finally, when the icebreakers conclude, be the storyteller who weaves it all together, connecting the dots between the icebreakers and the event’s purpose. Your role is to ensure that icebreakers are not just activities but memorable experiences.

Imagine the host/facilitator/MC as the thermostat in the room. While a thermometer simply measures the temperature, you, as the thermostat, have the power to set it. Your role is to bring clarity, engage the audience, and infuse energy into the atmosphere – all without crossing into cheesy territory. You’re the one who shapes the environment, making it inviting and exciting for everyone involved. 

Be clear – Be engaging – Be energizing

In wrapping up our exploration of top icebreakers for your next presentation, remember this: icebreakers are the secret spices that turn the bland into the brilliant. They’re not just warm-up acts; they’re the opening chords of a captivating symphony.

From classics like “Two Truths and a Lie” to the creativity of “What’s in the Bag” and the lightning-fast networking of “Speed Networking,” these icebreakers are your allies in engagement, your partners in connection, and your ticket to presentations that won’t be forgotten.

So, as you plan your next presentation, embrace the icebreaker magic. They’re not the side dish; they’re the star of the show. Your audience will thank you for it, and your presentations will sparkle with a charm that’s impossible to resist.

To learn more about public speaking and effective communication you can reach out to us here.

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Work Life is Atlassian’s flagship publication dedicated to unleashing the potential of every team through real-life advice, inspiring stories, and thoughtful perspectives from leaders around the world.

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Bookmark this blog: 148 icebreaker questions you’ll keep coming back to

Skip the age-old prompts about desert islands and engage your team with icebreaker questions that are actually interesting.

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It’s easy for icebreaker questions to feel obligatory – an inauthentic exercise everybody feigns interest in before moving on to the meat of the meeting. 

But don’t underestimate the power of the humble icebreaker – it’s been long established that, when you do it right, they actually work. In one 1997 study , researchers asked pairs of participants to share information about themselves. The pairs that did so reported feeling significantly closer than the ones who just engaged in meaningless small talk.

It’s proof that the right questions can foster or strengthen connections, reduce doubt or anxiety, and encourage team members to speak openly. As psychologist Anton Villado says , “We engage in self-disclosure over some period of time – typically lots of time – and icebreakers are simply meant to hasten that.”

The key is choosing the right (read: non-cringey) questions. From rapid-fire prompts to thought-provoking queries that dig deeper, this big ol’ list of icebreaker questions will help you get the ball rolling. 

Quick icebreaker questions

5-minute team building activities for virtual and hybrid squads

These fast icebreaker questions can be answered in only a few words (or, in some cases, just one word), making them perfect for meetings or conversations when you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to friendly chatter but still want to establish some rapport and familiarity.

• What’s a surprising thing on your bucket list?
• What’s the best thing you’ve crossed off your bucket list?
• If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite children’s book?
• What’s your go-to coffee order?
• What’s your favorite board game?
• What’s an underrated kitchen appliance or gadget?
• What was your first job?
• What’s your favorite room in your house?
• What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
• What’s your least favorite sport?
• What’s your dream car?
• What toppings are on your ideal pizza?
• What song makes you feel the most nostalgic?
• What’s your go-to karaoke song?
• What song is most likely to get you on the dance floor?
• What format was the first album you purchased? (Cassette, CD, digital)
• What smell reminds you most of a specific place or time?
• Do you have a lucky number? What is it, and why?
• What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
• What’s your favorite way to eat potatoes?
• If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?
• What’s your signature dance move?
• What would your personal theme song or walk-on song be?
• What’s your favorite dad joke?
• What’s your favorite icebreaker question?

“This or that” icebreaker questions

Looking for other quick options? “This or that” questions keep things moving by asking people to choose between only two options. 

• Coffee or tea?
• Early bird or night owl?
• Cats or dogs?
• Salt or pepper?
• Pancakes or waffles?
• Concert or museum?
• Hotel or Airbnb?
• Beach or mountains?
• Book or movie?
• Introvert or extrovert?
• City or country?
• Digital or analog?
• Pen or keyboard?
• Socks or barefoot?
• Sweet or savory?
• Chocolate or vanilla?
• Phone call or text message?
• Adventure or relaxation?
• Comedy or drama?
• Sneakers or sandals?
• Card game or board game?
• Spicy or mild?
• Restaurant or home-cooked meal?
• Ice cream cone or cup?

Meatier icebreaker questions

7 icebreaker games to help your team build authentic connections

When so many icebreakers are surface-level and inconsequential, ones that dig deeper can feel a little counterintuitive. But while these may seem like unusual icebreaker questions compared to the cursory ones you’d typically think of, they’re perfect for sparking meaningful discussions, increasing empathy and understanding, and reinforcing team bonds. 

• What’s your best childhood memory?
• Who would your 12-year-old self say is their biggest hero?
• What’s an unexpected life lesson you’ve learned?
• After people and pets, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if (god forbid!) your home was on fire?
• What’s your proudest accomplishment?
• What’s your most irrational fear?
• If you had to live in a different country for a year, which one would you choose?
• What’s your hottest take or most surprising opinion?
• Would you want to know how much time you have left to live?
• What’s a surprising “fun fact” about you?
• If you had to teach a class or give a TED Talk, what would it be about?
• What one day in your life would you most like to relive?
• What’s a cause or charity that means a lot to you?
• What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
• How would your loved ones describe you in five words?
• What’s your most treasured possession?
• When was the last time you felt inspired to create something?
• What’s one of your nicknames and how did you get it?
• What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
• What character traits do you admire?
• What trait are you most proud of in yourself?
• If you could master any skill immediately, what would it be?
• What would you title your memoir?
• What’s a habit you’re trying to break or build?
• Would you rather travel to the past or the future?
• What’s the biggest misconception people have about you?
• What’s your favorite family tradition?
• If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would you choose?
• What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
• What advice would you give to your younger self?

Fun icebreaker questions

From the Playbook

If you have five minutes, the Icebreaker Activities Play can help you make personal connections and spark the kind of creative thinking that moves work forward.

Icebreaker questions don’t need to be substantial to be worthwhile. When you need a lighthearted activity for a holiday happy hour, team baby shower, or anything in between, these silly icebreaker questions are just quirky enough to generate plenty of chuckles while still revealing interesting facts about the people you work with. 

• What animal do you think best represents your personality?
• Who would play you in a movie about your life?
• If you could invent a holiday, what would you celebrate?
• If you could have any fictional character as a best friend, who would it be?
• What’s the most bizarre dream you’ve ever had?
• What’s your favorite way to waste time?
• If you could be any age for a week, what age would you be?
• What’s the weirdest (SFW!) thing you’ve ever Googled?
• What’s your favorite under-the-radar life hack?
• If you could change your name to anything, what would you choose?
• What was the last time you laughed really hard?
• What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever collected?
• If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you win a gold medal in?
• If you had to participate in an actual Olympic sport, which would you choose?
• What’s the story behind your coolest scar or gnarliest injury?
• What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever seen in someone’s home?
• What’s the worst haircut you’ve ever gotten?
• What’s your star sign? Do you think your sign’s characteristics describe your personality?
• How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
• What was your most memorable concert experience?
• What was your most memorable wildlife experience?
• What would you want your last meal to be?
• If you won the lottery but didn’t tell anyone, how would your friends and family know?
• What’s your favorite made-up game you play with your friends or family?
• What’s a superstitious belief that you believed as a child (or still believe)?
• What was the first time (or a memorable time) you were frightened by a weather event or natural disaster?
• What’s the oldest piece of clothing you own? Why do you still wear it/keep it?
• Who in your life (or on your team!) would you trust to take care of you if you were an egg?

“Would you rather” icebreaker questions

As a subcategory of silly icebreaker questions, “would you rather” prompts challenge people to consider an off-the-wall scenario and make a choice. You can come up with endless hypothetical scenarios, but here are a few to help get your wheels turning.

• Would you rather have a permanent clown nose or permanent clown shoes?
• Would you rather always have to hop on one foot or always have to walk backward?
• Would you rather only be able to whisper or only be able to shout?
• Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or speak every human language fluently?
• Would you rather have to sing everything you say or dance every time you move?
• Would you rather have a personal theme song that plays whenever you enter a room or have a personal mascot that follows you around?
• Would you rather be able to instantly master any skill but have to do it in public or be mediocre at everything but always do it in private?
• Would you rather be eight feet tall or three feet tall?

Work-related icebreaker questions

Looking for a way to warm people up without taking the focus off of the work you do together? These icebreaker questions for work can help team members learn more about each other’s work-related experiences, preferences, and achievements. 

• How did you end up in your current job?
• If you could have another career, what would it be? 
• If you could switch roles with anyone at your company, who would it be?
• What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
• What’s the most memorable moment in your career so far?
• What’s your go-to productivity playlist or music?
• If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?
• What’s the best work-related book you’ve read?
• How do you unwind after a busy or stressful day?
• What’s your favorite way to celebrate a work-related milestone or achievement?
• What’s your favorite thing about working in your industry?
• If you could work remotely from anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
• What’s the biggest misconception about your job?
• Who is your dream career mentor?
• If you could automate one part of your job, what would it be?
• What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
• What is your most productive time of day?
• If you could design your perfect office, what would it look like?
• What’s your favorite quote or mantra that motivates you at work?
• What’s the most fun project you’ve ever worked on?

Virtual icebreaker questions

18 virtual team building activities and games

Nearly all of the above icebreakers can work in a remote setting. But when your team is distributed, you have even more opportunities to learn about people’s habits, routines, and priorities. These team icebreaker questions will help everybody feel more in touch and connected — even if you aren’t colocated. 

• What’s something the team would know about you if we spent time in person?
• What’s one thing that’s always on your desk?
• What’s your favorite way to spend a break during the workday?
• Do you have any pet colleagues?
• What’s the funniest thing that’s happened during a video call?
• What’s your favorite way to end or start the workday?
• What’s something we’d be surprised to find in your office?
• What’s your go-to lunch or workday snack?
• What’s your favorite or most-used emoji?
• Where’s the best spot you’ve ever worked remotely?
• What’s your go-to music or background noise while working?
• What’s your favorite perk of remote work?

What’s your favorite icebreaker question? Let us know in the Atlassian Community – we’ll be adding some of your ideas to this list!

Advice, stories, and expertise about work life today.

More From Forbes

15 self-appraisal questions for peak-performing leaders.

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Dr. Abiola Salami | Performance strategist with valuable insights for high-performing professionals, entrepreneurs & nation-builders | CHAMP

Leadership performance is under threat. Many leaders assume that leadership development is a reward rather than an intentional, structured plan to move them through a growth process in support of their continuous improvement on their leadership journey.

There are also leaders who assume that excellent financial performance equals excellent leadership performance. For these leaders, the end result justifies the means. They erroneously use their financial performance to excuse their excessive and many times toxic behaviors. Sadly, some organizations continue to celebrate toxic leaders because of their excellent financial performance, thereby mainstreaming toxicity across the organization. But according to research , "Toxic leadership behaviors lead to turnover intention, decreased satisfaction, lack of commitment, and low performance and psychological stresses such as anxiety, depression, fatigue and detachment."

Peak-performing leaders understand that excellent financial performance is just a subset of peak performance. They understand that employee metrics such as attrition, engagement, development, psychological safety and welfare are critical measurements of peak performance. These leaders therefore understand that leadership development is a continuous journey of improvement.

The world is in need of peak-performing leaders. In a rapidly evolving world, strong, empathetic, courageous and visionary leaders are more crucial than ever. We are at a turning point where individuals are stepping up as disruptors, building thought leadership with the courage and determination to add value and lead.

Peak-performing leaders commit to examining their leadership performance from time to time. When you conduct an honest appraisal of yourself, you will discover your strengths and possible areas of improvement. With these, you can consolidate your strengths and seek intervention for improvement where necessary.

Using a scale of zero to five for the grading, with zero being "not at all," leaders can leverage the following fifteen questions to appraise their leadership performance. The questions apply whether you are leading a small team, a division or an entire organization across multiple functions and continents.

1. How committed am I to my development as a leader?

This question is asking if you have taken steps to improve your leadership skills within the period under review. As a peak-performing leader, you must prioritize your growth—less ego, more education.

2. Did I resolve the last conflict on my team with the best outcome possible?

This question helps determine whether you enable conflict, avoid conflict or resolve it with the best outcome for both the stakeholders in conflict and the team.

3. How often do I practice open communication with my team?

This question is asking if you are intentional about productive communication on your team. As I've written before , "Leaders who are productive communicators—and ultimately peak performers—are intentional about how they engage with others. They understand that true communication begins with listening and thinking. More importantly, high-performing leaders encourage feedback because they know communication doesn’t necessarily mean they must have the final word."

4. Do I acknowledge the contributions of team members even when I disagree with their point of view?

This question is seeking to learn how you engage when you encounter opposing views on your team. It also seeks to learn how flexible you are, especially when your team members have a superior opposing argument. As a peak-performing leader, you must understand that your role is to guide your team toward making the best decisions for the attainment of the organization's goals.

5. Would my team members describe me as available and accessible to them?

This question seeks to learn how busy, available or accessible you are for the team.

6. Would my team members describe me as one who leads by example?

This question is seeking to learn about your personal integrity as a leader.

7. Do my team members perceive me as a responsive leader when it comes to their on -the-job struggles?

This is exploring how you respond to work-related issues for your team. It also seeks to see how compassionate you are as a leader.

8. Do my team members perceive me as a responsive leader when it comes to their off -the-job struggles?

On a related note, this question explores how you respond to non-work-related issues for your team.

9. From my perspective, how well do I think I really listen to my team members?

Would your team members say you listen to them?

10. How well do I collaborate with my team?

Leadership shouldn't be a lonely journey. This question seeks to show how well you collaborate with your team members in problem-solving and decision-making.

11. Do I know the strengths and areas of improvement of the team members directly reporting to me?

This question seeks to understand your level of awareness of your team members.

12. Do I delegate responsibility based on unique strengths and areas of improvement?

Appraise your style of delegating responsibility.

13. Judging by short-term outcomes and staff attrition, how well do I motivate my team?

This question seeks to understand the results of your efforts (or lack of effort) at motivating your team.

14. How intentional am I about building a cohesive team?

This question is a good way to evaluate your commitment to fostering cohesion in your team.

15. Do I champion a leadership development program for my team?

This question seeks to understand your commitment to developing your team members. It also seeks to understand the initiatives you deploy to develop them.

Do your best to answer the question as honestly as possible. You may discuss your results with your team members to confirm some of your responses. You can also discuss the result with your mentor or coach.

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

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First meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), having concurred with the advice offered by the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR or Regulations)  Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024  during its first meeting, held on 14 August 2024, has determined, on the same date, that the ongoing upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the provisions of the Regulations. The communication of the Director-General regarding the determination of the above-mentioned PHEIC on 14 August 2024 is available  here .

The Director-General is hereby transmitting the report of the first meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024.

Noting that the Director-General will be communicating to States Parties a 12-month extension of the current  standing recommendations for mpox , the temporary recommendations, issued by the Director-General in relation to the PHEIC associated with the ongoing upsurge of mpox are presented in the last section of this statement and reflect the advice offered by the Committee.

The Director-General is taking the opportunity to express his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Members of the IHR Emergency Committee, as well as to its Advisors. 

Proceedings of the meeting

Sixteen (16) Members of, and two Advisors to, the Emergency Committee were convened by teleconference, via Zoom, on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST. Fifteen (15) of the 16 Committee Members and the two Advisors to the Committee participated in the meeting.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) joined in person and welcomed the participants. The opening remarks by the Director-General are available  here .

The Representative of the Office of Legal Counsel briefed the Members and Advisers on their roles and responsibilities and identified the mandate of the Emergency Committee under the relevant articles of the IHR. The Ethics Officer from the Department of Compliance, Risk Management, and Ethics provided the Members and Advisors with an overview of the WHO Declaration of Interests process. The Members and Advisors were made aware of their individual responsibility to disclose to WHO, in a timely manner, any interests of a personal, professional, financial, intellectual or commercial nature that may give rise to a perceived or actual conflict of interest. They were additionally reminded of their duty to maintain the confidentiality of the meeting discussions and the work of the Committee. Each Member and Advisor was surveyed, with no conflicts of interest identified.

The Representative of the Office of Legal Counsel then facilitated the election of officers of the Committee, in accordance with the rules of procedures and working methods of the Emergency Committee. Professor Dimie Ogoina was elected as Chair of the Committee, Professor Inger Damon as Vice-Chair, and Professor Lucille Helen Blumberg as Rapporteur, all by acclamation.

The meeting was handed over to the Chair who introduced the objectives of the meeting, which were to provide views to the Director-General on whether the event constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and if so, to provide views on the potential proposed temporary recommendations.  

Session open to representatives of States Parties invited to present their views

The WHO Secretariat presented an overview of the global epidemiological situation of mpox, highlighting that, during the first six months of 2024, the 1854 confirmed cases of mpox reported by States Parties in the WHO African Region account for 36% (1854/5199) of the cases observed worldwide. Of these confirmed cases in the WHO African region in 2024, 95% (1754/1854) were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), that is experiencing an upsurge of cases of mpox, with more than 15,000 clinically compatible cases and over 500 deaths reported, already exceeding the number of cases observed in the DRC in 2023.

The upsurge of mpox cases in the DRC is being driven by outbreaks associated with two sub-clades of clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV) – clade Ia and clade Ib. Clade I mpox was classically described in studies conducted by WHO in the 1980’s to have a mortality rate of approximately 10%, with most deaths occurring in children.

MPXV clade Ia is endemic in the DRC, the disease primarily affects children, data available for 2024 show an aggregated case fatality rate of 3.6%, and the spread is likely sustained through multiple modes of transmission including person-to-person transmission following zoonotic introduction in a community.

MPXV clade Ib is a new strain of MPXV that emerged in the DRC  is transmitting between people, presumed via sexual contact, which has been spreading in the eastern part of the country. Although first characterized in 2024, estimates suggest it emerged around September 2023. The outbreak associated with clade Ib in the DRC primarily affects adults and is spreading rapidly, sustained largely, but not exclusively, through transmission linked to sexual contact and amplified in networks associated with commercial sex and sex workers.

Since July 2024, cases of mpox due to MPXV clade Ib, epidemiologically and phylogenetically linked to the outbreak in the eastern provinces of DRC, have been detected in four countries, neighbouring the DRC, which had not reported cases of mpox before: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Additionally, in 2024, cases of mpox linked to MPXV clade Ia have been reported in the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo, and cases linked to MPXV clade II have been reported in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa.

The clinical presentation of mpox associated with MPXV clade Ia has historically been characterized by more severe disease than that associated with MPXV clade II. Clade IIb viruses circulated during the multi-country outbreak that constituted a PHEIC from July 2022 to May 2023. There is, as yet, insufficient information available to fully characterize mpox severity due to clade Ib as data are emerging and, so far, few deaths were recorded, precluding age-stratified analyses.

The secretariat outlined challenges in understanding the true extent of infection, epidemiologic trends and morbidity and mortality, thus cautioning overinterpretation of available data to calculate crude CFRs by different clades/outbreaks.

The assessed risk presented by the WHO Secretariat – grouping geographical areas as a result of the assessment of population groups affected, predominant modes of transmission, and MPXV clades involved –, was: “high” for eastern DRC and neighbouring countries; “high” for areas of the DRC where mpox is known to be endemic; “moderate” for Nigeria and countries of West, Central and East Africa where mpox is endemic; and “moderate” for other countries in Africa and around the world.

The WHO Secretariat additionally provided an overview of the actions already taken to support readiness and response interventions in States Parties experiencing the upsurge of cases of mpox and facing such risk. These include, inter alia: the release of USD 1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies; initiating the process for including Emergency Use Listing two mpox vaccines; coordinating with partners and stakeholders, including to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; the development of a regional response plan, costed at an initial USD 15 million, and more.

Representatives of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda updated the Committee on the mpox epidemiological situation in their countries and the current response efforts, needs and challenges. Although most reported few cases of MPXV clade Ib related mpox, Burundi reported one hundred confirmed cases of mpox associated with clade Ib since July 2024, identified in multiple districts and 28% of cases were amongst children less than five years of age.

Members of, and Advisors to, the Committee then engaged in questions and answers with the presenters. The questions and discussions focused around the issues and challenges enumerated below:

• Scientific uncertainties and evidence gaps (e.g., role of ecological changes in the spread of mpox, modes of disease transmission, transmission dynamics, risk factors, disease severity and case fatality rate associated with the different MPXV clades, outcome of pregnancy in women infected with different MPXV clades);
• Adequacy of capacities, recognizing capacities gained during COVID-19, and heterogeneity thereof, across States Parties for surveillance, diagnostic capacities, surveillance modalities at borders, access to clinical care, integration of HIV/STI services in prevention and treatment, and risk communication and community engagement, vaccination delivery, and other capacities to support prevention, readiness and response activities;
• Lack of full understanding of the geographical spread and detailed epidemiology of the dynamic mpox outbreaks, including of molecular epidemiology, to optimize targeted prevention and control measures, including risk communication and community engagement with local partners to enable appropriate support and behavior modifications, as well as the targeted use of mpox vaccines in at risk groups;
• Availability and access to laboratory tests that can be used in challenging environments, and where necessary, methods to distinguish between circulating MPXV clades; and
• An incomplete mapping of mpox-related research and development efforts underway, noting several initiatives underway, including a WHO and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) consultation to be held in August 2024;
• The unpredictability and lack of financial resources at both, national and international levels to scale up and sustain interventions to prevent and control the spread of mpox, despite the development of costed global, regional and national response plans;
• The needs-based access to mpox vaccines, given the current limited available globally; the currently limited production of the vaccine, conditional to orders placed to the manufacturer; and the extensive time to develop legal agreements in relation to donation of mpox vaccines, as opposed to direct procurement. With respect to access to vaccines, the WHO Secretariat informed the Committee of its ongoing work with numerous partners through the Interim coordination mechanism for medical countermeasures (i-MCM-Net), including Gavi and the United Nations Children's Fund on the coordination of the donation and allocation process in an equitable, needs-based manner;
• The access to the antiviral drug tecovirimat, considering that both, the minimum amount for orders to be placed with the manufacturer and the price of the product represent key challenges for many States Parties. While evidence is being gathered on its use for the treatment of cases of mpox, it can be accessed under protocol for Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Experimental Interventions (MEURI); as well as optimized and safe clinical care; and
• The need for information on the implementation, by States Parties, of the standing recommendation for mpox issued on 21 August 2023.

Deliberative session

Following the session open to invited States Parties, the Committee reconvened in a closed session to examine the questions in relation to whether the event constitutes a PHEIC or not, and if so, to consider the temporary recommendations drafted by the WHO Secretariat in accordance with IHR provisions.

The Chair reminded the Committee Members of their mandate and recalled that a PHEIC is defined in the IHR as an  “extraordinary event, which constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease, and potentially requires a coordinated international response” .

The Committee was unanimous in expressing the views that the ongoing upsurge of mpox meets the criteria of a PHEIC and that the Director-General be advised accordingly.

The considerations underpinning the unanimous views of the Committee further elaborated upon issues and challenges addressed during the question and answers session.

The Committee considered the event as  “extraordinary”  because of (a) the increase in mpox clade I disease occurrence in the DRC and the emergence of the new MPXV clade Ib, the human-to-human transmission context in which it is occurring, its rapid spread in some settings, and available evidence suggesting that MPXV clade I is associated with a more severe clinical presentation with respect to MPXV clade II; (b) the diverse, complex, dynamic, and rapidly evolving epidemiology observed across States Parties in the WHO African Region in terms of: overall rapid increase of the number of cases reported in some settings, differences in population age-groups affected, routes and modes sustaining transmissions in different contexts; and (c) the severity of the clinical presentation in children and immunocompromised individuals, including people living with uncontrolled HIV infection or advanced HIV disease, as well as the long-term consequences of MPXV infection.

Additionally, the Committee strongly underscored that its level of concern is further heightened by (a) uncertainties and gaps in knowledge and evidence related to (i) multiple epidemiological aspects, including drivers of transmission, morbidity and mortality associated with infections with different MPXV sub-clades; (ii) the incompleteness and uncertainties of available epidemiological data and considered by the Committee, due to the limitations of current surveillance (e.g., sub-optimal levels of case detection and case reporting), the availability and performance of laboratory diagnostics, and ongoing conflicts and humanitarian challenges in certain areas of the DRC experiencing the upsurge of mpox, that, ultimately, hamper the implementation of control measures; (iii) the impact of control measures, including the targeted use of vaccines and their overall effectiveness; and (b) the risk of occurrence of additional mutations of MPXV clade I and clade II, and their subsequent emergence and spread in the context of limited capacity to implement control measures.

The Committee considered that the event  “ constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease”  because of (a) the documented recent spread of MPXV clade Ib from eastern DRC to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda; (b) the limited capacity to control transmission in endemic situations and in areas of upsurge through enhanced surveillance enabling the implementation of targeted response interventions that are ultimately subordinated to (i) the unavailability of sustainable funding, and (ii) the limited ability to access vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; and (c) the challenges in implementing concerted surveillance and response interventions in contiguous areas of bordering States Parties, in particular where borders are porous.

The Committee considered that the event  “requires a coordinated international response” . The Committee noted that (a) mpox is endemic in parts of Africa, with surges increasingly reported, and also resulting in a multi-country outbreak determined to constitute a PHEIC in 2022-2023; and (b) the event is occurring in the context of standing recommendations issued by the Director-General in August 2023 under IHR provisions and following the termination of the afore mentioned PHEIC; the presence of the “WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox- 2024-2027”; and the activation for mpox of the i-MCM-Net. In that light and noting the declaration of the event as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa CDC on 13 August 2024, the Committee considered that international cooperation requires enhanced and coordination, in particular with respect to (a) the facilitation of equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; and (b) the mobilization of financial resources.

The Committee subsequently considered the draft of the temporary recommendations proposed by   the WHO  Secretariat , briefly presented during the meeting. The Committee indicated that it would be giving further consideration to the proposed temporary recommendations while finalizing the report of the meeting.

The Committee noted that, in his opening remarks, the Director-General communicated the 12-month extension of the current  standing recommendations for mpox , which were set to expire on 20 August 2024. The Committee also noted that, should the Director-General determine that the upsurge of mpox constitutes a PHEIC, it would be the first time, since the entry into force of the Regulations, that temporary and standing recommendations to States Parties related to the same public health risk would coexist.

Therefore, the Committee underscored that any temporary recommendation that may be issued by the Director-General should be very specific and targeted, and hence, not duplicate the standing recommendations.

Notwithstanding that both, temporary and standing recommendations constitute non-binding advice to States Parties, the Committee advised that mechanisms to monitor the uptake, implementation and impact of such recommendations should be embedded in the set of temporary recommendations to States Parties that the Director-General may issue in relation to the event considered.

Conclusions

The Committee reiterated its concern regarding the evolution of the multi-faceted upsurge of mpox, including the many uncertainties surrounding it and the capacities in place to control the spread of mpox in States Parties experiencing the outbreaks, or in States Parties that may have to do so as a result of further international spread.

The Committee recognized the critical role of coordinated international cooperation in supporting States Parties’ efforts to control the spread of mpox in the WHO African Region – including in facilitating access to and use of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; mobilizing financial resources for States Parties experiencing the upsurge of disease; and synergic initiatives by WHO and partners, including Africa CDC.

Nevertheless, the Committee indicated that the development of strategic approaches for States Parties to become more self-reliant in controlling the spread of mpox are warranted. To that effect, the Committee considers that the determination by the Director-General that the upsurge of mpox constitutes a PHEIC would stimulate States Parties facing the outbreaks to more effectively commit and employ domestic resources.  

Temporary recommendations issued by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to States Parties in relation to the public health emergency of international concern associated with the upsurge of mpox 

These temporary recommendations are issued to States Parties experiencing the upsurge of mpox,  including, but not limited to, the   Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda .

They are intended to be implemented by those States Parties in addition to the current  standing recommendations for mpox , which will be extended until 20 August 2025 and are presented at the end of this document for easy reference. 

In the context of the global efforts to prevent and control the spread of mpox disease outlined in the  WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox- 2024-2027 , the aforementioned  standing recommendations  apply to  all States Parties . 

All current WHO interim technical guidance can be accessed on  this page  of the WHO website. WHO evidence-based guidance has been and will continue to be updated in line with the evolving situation, updated scientific evidence, and WHO risk assessment to support States Parties in the implementation of the WHO Strategic Framework for enhancing mpox prevention and control. 

Pursuant to Article 3 Principle of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), the implementation of these temporary recommendations, as well as of the standing recommendations for mpox, by States Parties shall be with full respect for the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons, in line with the principles set out in Article 3 of the IHR. 

 Emergency Coordination

• Establish or enhance national and local emergency response coordination arrangements;
• Establish or enhance the coordination of all partners and stakeholders engaged in or supporting response activities through cooperation, including by introducing accountability mechanisms;
• Engage partner organizations for collaboration and support, including humanitarian actors in contexts with insecurity or areas with internal or refugee population displacements and hosting communities insecure areas;

Collaborative Surveillance and Laboratory Diagnostics

• Enhance surveillance, by increasing the sensitivity of the approaches adopted and ensuring comprehensive geographical coverage;
• Expand access to accurate, affordable and available diagnostics to differentiate monkeypox virus clades, including through strengthening arrangements for the transport of samples, the decentralization of diagnostics, and arrangements to conduct genomic sequencing;
• Identify, monitor and support the contacts of people with mpox to prevent onward transmission;
• Scale up efforts to thoroughly investigate cases and outbreaks of mpox disease to elucidate the modes of transmission, and prevent its onward transmission to household members and communities;
• Report to WHO suspect, probable and confirmed cases of mpox in a timely manner and on a weekly basis;

Safe and Scalable Clinical Care

• Provide clinical, nutritional and psychosocial support for patients with mpox, including, as warranted and possible, isolation in care centres and guidance for home-based care;
• Develop and implement a plan to expand access to optimised supportive clinical care for all patients with mpox, including children, patients living with HIV and pregnant women. This includes offering HIV tests to adult patients who do not know their HIV status and to children as appropriate, with linkages to HIV treatment and care services when indicated; the prompt identification and effective management of endemic co-infections, such as malaria, varicella zoster and measles viruses, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among cases linked to sexual contact;
• Strengthen health and care workers’ capacity, knowledge and skills in the clinical and infection and prevention and control pathways –from diagnosis to discharge of patients with suspected and confirmed mpox –, and provide them with personal protective equipment;
• Promote and implement infection prevention and control measures and basic water and sanitation services in health care facilities, household settings, congregate settings (e.g. prisons, internally displaced persons and refugee camps, schools, etc.), and cross border transit areas;

International traffic

• Establish or strengthen cross-border collaboration arrangements for surveillance and management of suspect cases of mpox, the provision of information to travellers and conveyance operators, without resorting to general travel and trade restrictions unnecessarily impacting local, regional or national economies;

Vaccination

• Prepare for the introduction of mpox vaccine for emergency response through convening of national immunization technical advisory groups, briefing of national regulatory authorities, preparing national policy mechanisms to apply for vaccines through available mechanisms;
• Initiate plans to advance mpox vaccination activities in the context of outbreak response in areas with incident cases (i.e. with disease onset in the previous 2-4 weeks), targeting people at high risk of infection (e.g., contacts of cases, including sexual contacts, children, and health and health care workers). This entails the agile adaptation of immunization strategies and plans to concerned areas; the availability of vaccines and supplies; the proactive community engagement, to generate and sustain demand for and trust in vaccination; and the collection of data during vaccination according to implementable research protocols;

Risk communication and community engagement

• Strengthen risk communication and community engagement systems with affected communities and local workforces for outbreak prevention, response and vaccination strategies, including through training, mapping high risk and vulnerable populations, social listening and community feedback, managing misinformation. This entails, inter alia, communicating effectively the uncertainties regarding the natural history of mpox, updated information about mpox including information from ongoing clinical trials, about the efficacy of vaccines against mpox, and the uncertainties regarding duration of protection following vaccination;
• Address stigma and discrimination of any kind via meaningful community engagement, particularly in health services and during risk communication activities;

Governance and financing

• Galvanize and scale up national funding and explore external opportunities for targeted funding of prevention, readiness and response activities;
• Integrate mpox prevention and response measures in existing programmes aimed at prevention, control and treatment of other endemic diseases – especially HIV, as well as STIs, malaria, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, as well as non-communicable diseases –, striving, to the extent possible, not to negatively impact their delivery;

Addressing research gaps

• Invest in addressing knowledge gaps and in generating evidence, during and after outbreaks, regarding the dynamics of transmission of mpox, risk factors, the social and behavioural drivers of transmission, the natural history of disease, through trials for novel therapeutics and vaccines against mpox, the effectiveness of public health interventions, with a One Health approach;

Reporting on the implementation of temporary recommendations

• Report quarterly to WHO on the status of, and challenges related to the implementation of these temporary recommendations, using a standardized tool and channels that will be made available WHO.

Standing recommendations for mpox issued by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)

A. States Parties are recommended to develop and implement national mpox plans that build on WHO strategic and technical guidance, outlining critical actions to sustain control of mpox and achieve elimination of human-to-human transmission in all contexts through coordinated and integrated policies, programmes and services. Actions are recommended to:

• Incorporate lessons learned from evaluation of the response (such as through intra- or after-action reviews) into related plans and policies in order to sustain, adapt, and promote key elements of the response and inform public health policies and programmes.
• Aim to eliminate human-to-human transmission of mpox by anticipating, detecting, preparing for and responding to mpox outbreaks and taking action to reduce zoonotic transmission, as appropriate.
• Build and retain capacity in resource-limited settings, and among marginalized groups, where mpox transmission continues to occur, to improve understanding of modes of transmission, quantify resource needs, and detect and respond to outbreaks and community transmission.

B. States Parties are recommended to, as a critical basis for actions outlined in A in support of the elimination goal, establish and sustain laboratory-based surveillance and diagnostic capacities to enhance outbreak detection and risk assessment. Actions are recommended to:

4. Include mpox as a notifiable disease in the national epidemiological surveillance system.

5. Strengthen diagnostic capacity at all levels of the health care system for laboratory and point of care diagnostic confirmation of cases.

6. Ensure timely reporting of cases to WHO, as per WHO guidance and Case Reporting Form, in particular reporting of confirmed cases with a relevant recent history of international travel.

7. Collaborate with other countries so that genomic sequencing is available in, or accessible to, all countries. Share genetic sequence data and metadata through public databases.

8. Notify WHO about significant mpox-related events through IHR channels.

C. States Parties are recommended to enhance community protection through building capacity for risk communication and community engagement, adapting public health and social measures to local contexts and continuing to strive for equity and build trust with communities through the following actions, particularly for those most at risk. Actions are recommended to:

9. Communicate risk, build awareness, engage with affected communities and at-risk groups through health authorities and civil society.

10. Implement interventions to prevent stigma and discrimination against any individuals or groups that may be affected by mpox.

D. States Parties are recommended to initiate, continue, support, and collaborate on research to generate evidence for mpox prevention and control, with a view to support elimination of human-to-human transmission of mpox. Actions are recommended to:

11. Contribute to addressing the global research agenda to generate and promptly disseminate evidence for key scientific, social, clinical, and public health aspects of mpox transmission, prevention and control.

12. Conduct clinical trials of medical countermeasures, including diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, in different populations, in addition to monitoring of their safety, effectiveness and duration of protection.

13. States Parties in West, Central and East Africa should make additional efforts to elucidate mpox-related risk, vulnerability and impact, including consideration of zoonotic, sexual, and other modes of transmission in different demographic groups.

E. States Parties are recommended to apply the following measures related to international travel. Actions are recommended to:

14. Encourage authorities, health care providers and community groups to provide travelers with relevant information to protect themselves and others before, during and after travel to events or gatherings where mpox may present a risk.

15. Advise individuals suspected or known to have mpox, or who may be a contact of a case, to adhere to measures to avoid exposing others, including in relation to international travel.

16. Refrain from implementing travel-related health measures specific for mpox, such as entry or exit screening, or requirements for testing or vaccination.

F. States Parties are encouraged to continue providing guidance and coordinating resources for delivery of optimally integrated clinical care for mpox, including access to specific treatment and supportive measures to protect health workers and caregivers as appropriate. States Parties are encouraged to take actions to:

17. Ensure provision of optimal clinical care with infection prevention and control measures in place for suspected and confirmed mpox in all clinical settings. Ensure training of health care providers accordingly and provide personal protective equipment.

18. Integrate mpox detection, prevention, care and research within HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention and control programmes, and other health services as appropriate.

G. States Parties are encouraged to work towards ensuring equitable access to safe, effective and quality-assured countermeasures for mpox, including through resource mobilization mechanisms. States Parties are encouraged to take action to:

19. Strengthen provision of and access to diagnostics, genomic sequencing, vaccines, and therapeutics for the most affected communities, including in resource-constrained settings where mpox occurs regularly, and including for men who have sex with men and groups at risk of heterosexual transmission, with special attention to those most marginalized within those groups.

20. Make mpox vaccines available for primary prevention (pre-exposure) and post-exposure vaccination for persons and communities at risk of mpox, taking into account recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).