30-Second Elevator Speech: Love it or Leave it?
December 15, 2006 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Although the 30-second elevator speech has become one of the required skills to have in your leadership repertoire, I’ve been resisting it every step of the way.
I’ve read all the reasons about why it’s important. It basically boils down to having a creative, yet solid, answer to the question “what do you do?” and having it practiced and memorized until it rolls automatically off your tongue. It’s seen as a chance to sell yourself and your skills.
Many “experts” suggest that you craft your mini-speech in such a way as to capture someone’s attention, pushing them into asking for more information about your career and skill sets.
Some responses that I’ve heard (paraphrased) to the question “What line of work are you in?”
- A: I help people make their dreams come true (from a realtor).
- A: I help couples that are struggling on their path reach their dreams (from a marriage counselor).
- A: I help couples fulfill their dream (from an adoption attorney).
These answers are similar in many ways, that is, they all speak to dream fulfillment. Yet, none of these answers give me any kind of clue about the actually career of the person answering. I don’t know any more than I did before asking the question, and since the answers seem vaguely creepy, I’m inclined to smile and nod, while quickly moving off to another part of the room.
At various points in my life I’ve answered the questions differently, but, I hope, always directly:
- A: I’m the director of promotions for a local radio station.
- A: I’m a lawyer.
- A: I’m a flight attendant.
These answers take only a few seconds, rather than a full 30, are respectful of everyone’s time, and don’t make me feel like I’m playing silly games about how I make my living. I’ve found that if people want to know more, they’ll ask. And they usually do.
I’m sure that some of you may disagree with me, and here’s your chance.
I really want to know: Am I the only one who feels that these canned responses are just a little slimy?
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I agree that sometimes canned responses are useless and don’t really tell you anything about what the person does. However, I think just saying “I’m an accountant” may be a little bland. It lacks any passion and doesn’t really say anything about you as an individual. The ideal description should tell WHAT you do (without confusing anyone) while also telling WHY you do it.
Maybe I just haven’t heard a response that sounds un-slimy (I know, there isn’t such a word!). It all sounds phony to me.
Anyone out there have a response that sounds natural?
It depends on who’s asking doesn’t it? Does the person asking really want to know or are they just making polite conversation?
Pierre, I didn’t write the post, but I agree with you. My favorite response is to turn the conversation back to them. People love to talk about themselves.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you’ll come back.