You’ve probably been at a social gathering or networking event when a person you’ve never met approaches you, exchanges cordialities and say’s “So, what do you do?” I believe these people are called “extroverts” or “outgoing.” And it’s fair to say I am NOT one of these people.
Besides the fact that I think this is an odd way to start a conversation, for me, this question elicits a certain level of dread and anxiety. So, I have a choice. Perhaps I want to succinctly and efficiently (and possibly boringly) explain what it is that I “do” daily. This accomplishes two things. First, it politely answers the question that was asked of me and second, it all but ensures we’ll move on to another subject and the shrimp cocktail.
But I have another option. I can tell them not about what I do, but what I am passionate about. What I enjoy and what fuels me and my coworkers. Not what our company does, but what we believe.