Talking with the Receptionist, Pausing When You Speak and Other Secrets of Leadership Success

Several years ago, while visiting a regional branch of Lee Hecht Harrison, a global career management services company, then-president Stephen Harrison was stopped short by "Ray," his chief operating officer. "You didn’t greet the receptionist," said Ray, who proceeded to show Harrison how to do what he called the "two minute schmooze." Introducing himself, Ray inquired about the receptionist’s commute and impressions of the company.

Ray explained to Harrison: "A receptionist is a corporate concierge. They will talk to more important people in a day — suppliers, customers, even CEOs — than you will talk to all year."

Full Story: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1792