"Hi, I'm Sally and I've spent 27 years working in the healthcare space. I've held several leadership roles including in project management, product development, and strategy, I'm now the head of blah, blah, blah." Ugh, so many times we waste the most incredible opportunity to make a great first connection. If instead you use the power and principles of strategic authenticity, you can turn that snoozer of an intro into a doozer of a connection. And that's what we'll help you do in this week's b Cause podcast episode.  Erin and Nicole kick things off with a quick story from Erin's most recent workshop and a song that a participant recommends that fits perfectly with the company's A-HOLE Manifesto (Authentic Humans Overhauling Lousy Energy). We also find out that Nicole is a total metal-head! They then discuss the world starting to re-open, with Erin being able to take her son to a hockey game and actually enter the rink to watch. Nicole asks Erin about her recent TV/Video productions trip. She gives the behind-the-scenes on her shoot for a new speaking reel she's putting together. Moving on to the WTF moments of the week, Nicole starts off with a story about her quest to find the perfect bra.  Biggest Lesson? Don't buy a bra from an Instagram ad! Nicole has also got into the habit of buying herself a present every time she spends a day at work without having a freak-out. She shares a story about the savvy marketer at Dunkin Donuts who may know about this new indulgence and successfully pitched her a box of "stale-ass" munchies at 5:30 in the afternoon. Erin has her own donut story too, where she learned the power of the term, YOLO. You know all those times you have to introduce yourself, often giving a mundane summary of your resume while everyone else zones out and/or doesn't listen as they think about what they're going to say? Instead, Erin teaches you to seize the opportunity to immediately connect by compiling a humility moment and a big brag, all rolled up in a fun and intriguing story. She discusses the differences between an un-intriguing and an intriguing introduction, and how making this small change can make a huge impact. Erin then walks Nicole through the process (so get your pens out and follow along!) Erin explains the importance and power of all three components, and how storytelling shouldn't be seen as time-consuming or selfish. Instead, the listener will jump right in and make their own story right alongside you. After Erin's feedback on Nicole's first try, Nicole then tells the story again, and, well, when you hear it you'll understand how impactful the Intriguing Intro can be. Now go find and tell yours! If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Follow Nicole on LinkedIn:   Follow Erin on LinkedIn:   Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @   We even share more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Get your own copy of Erin's book by searching "You Do You Ish" in amazon or going to   Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to   We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @   Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @   We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "That's your summer PSA everybody. As you get back out into the world, get dish soap." "I'm buying this bra. In fact, I'm so "in", I'm buying two." "If I don't have a work freak-out one day, I'm buying two." "she sold her stale-ass 5:30pm Munchkins to me, no problem." "You're the second middle-aged person who has told me about discovering the world YOLO." "We become a summary of our resume. Instead, we need an intriguing intro." "One of the biggest misconceptions about storytelling in the workplace is that people will get annoyed that you're taking up too much time." "I love helping people get to a place where they have better problems than they had yesterday." "This is the time to reframe yourself." "I have some good news to end the podcast with...the replacements bras have shipped."