Clear Speak With Robyn | October 2026
With ADIPEC and several other major conferences coming up in Abu Dhabi, many of us will be attending networking events, meeting new people, and reconnecting with familiar faces.
Networking is a wonderful opportunity to build relationships, but it can also lead to the occasional awkward moment.
Have you ever walked up to someone you've met before, only to realise they don't remember you? Or perhaps you've been on the other side of that conversation. Someone greets you warmly, but you simply cannot remember where you met. It happens to all of us!
My communication tip this month is simple: Reintroduce yourself.
Don't make the other person struggle to remember your name. Help them out.
Here are three things you can do:
- State your name. Even if you've met before, don't assume the other person remembers.
- Remind them where you met. Give them a little context.
- Mention something meaningful from your previous conversation. Perhaps they gave a presentation, shared useful advice, or introduced you to someone.
For example:
"Hello, I'm Robyn Albers. We met at the big business council networking event earlier this year. You gave some excellent advice about getting onto podcass, and I actually used one of your suggestions and it has resulted in two invitations."
You've just made the conversation easier for both of you and isn't that what good communication is about?
Watch my short video below for a practical demonstration of how to reintroduce yourself.
Play How to Reintroduce Yourself at Networking Events
Some exciting news: My book is moving forward!
I've been working on a book about professional communication, and this Sunday, the manuscript is heading to the senior editor. It's an exciting milestone!
The book is expected to launch in March 2027, and I'm looking forward to sharing the ideas and practical communication tools I've developed through years of teaching, coaching, and working with professionals.
One thing I've noticed repeatedly is that people don't necessarily struggle because they lack knowledge or experience. Often, they know exactly what they want to say, but they struggle to organise their thoughts and communicate them clearly, especially when they're under pressure.
That's why the book focuses on practical communication structures that people can remember and use in real situations.
Here's a preview of what I've been writing.
I'll share more about these communication structures as we get closer to publication.
Bringing the Book into the Workplace
One of the things I'm most excited about is sharing the book with professionals across Abu Dhabi.
As part of the book launch in March 2027, I'd love to visit companies and organisations to introduce some of the practical communication techniques featured in the book.
I'm offering complimentary, interactive book-launch sessions of up to 90 minutes.
These sessions will combine short readings from the book with fun, practical activities that give participants an opportunity to try some of the communication techniques for themselves.
This won't be a traditional book presentation where everyone sits and listens. I want people to participate, practice, laugh a little, and leave with something useful they can apply in their next meeting or conversation.
These sessions would be ideal for employee engagement events, leadership gatherings, professional development activities, or team learning sessions.
Would your organisation be interested in hosting a complimentary book-launch session?
I'd love to hear from you! Please contact me at robyn@clearspeakgcc.com to discuss scheduling a session around the March 2027 launch.
One final thought
Whether you're reconnecting with someone at ADIPEC, speaking up in a leadership meeting, or presenting an important recommendation, communication doesn't have to be complicated.
Often, the smallest changes make the greatest difference.
And sometimes, simply reminding someone where you met is all it takes to start a meaningful conversation.
I'd love to hear from you: What's the most awkward networking situation you've experienced, and how did you handle it?
Robyn Albers Executive Communication Advisor Owner and Lead Consultant, Clear Speak GCC Consulting www.clearspeakgcc.com
