What Don't You Do?

Q: What do you do?
A: <Answers Will Vary>

The above question is often a boring 'opening' or conversation killer during an initial introduction. It merely elicits a title (e.g. a banker, a doctor, a project manager, a teacher). Of course, your professional life is hard to sum up in a word or two and no one really cares about all the minor tasks you actually do all day. Besides, your job is only a very small part of who you really are.   

Here are some better questions to ask people:

What do you do for fun?

What are your hobbies, past times, or passions?

Have you read any good books lately?

These questions get people talking about interesting topics with enthusiasm as it relates close to their true essence. Next time you meet a stranger at a party, cocktail party, or networking event, do your best not to merely swap titles and get to know the other person in a deeper, personal way.