Over the past four years I’ve had the opportunity to meet with some influential people. Initially, I was excited to get the meeting, but I suffered bouts of “gotta pee knee” on the drive to their office. More often than not, it threw the first ten minutes of the meeting for a loop.

So here are three suggestions for getting past heart thumping paranoia and perform a self-inflicted gut check:

Find that one comment on their Facebook profile from their crazy aunt or drunk frat buddy. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve come in this world, there will always be one embarassing person who likes or comments on every picture or status. Think Walter White/Marie Schrader season one.

Most leaders who’ve fought through the trenches know how to make their Facebook profile look professional. Shared links to awards they’ve won, pictures of their grandkids playing, Youtube videos of the talk they gave at TEDx, etc.

But sure as you are reading this post there is a status celebrating their newest achievement with the following comment: “Wuz up JWeezey. DAMNNNN. Look at u goin big. Reminds me of that nite @ Sigma Yo Sigma. Member that girl??? WHAT WAS HER NAME?!?!? Got to catch up soon brah. Hit me up on the Twitter @HUGECANTLOSE. Later.”

And…

Scene.

Think of the day their dog died. I’ve done this a time or two on my way to meet a big money client with serious clout to boot. Its not as sadistic as it sounds. In fact, I’m a dog person, this is why it works for me. The point is to imagine this guy/gal working through a difficult time. Pain makes us human. It shows our scars. Tears are a reminder that we were children once.

Its easier to feel a connection with someone when you’ve seen them weakened. They’re not super human. They have ups and downs.

Imagine them leaning over Snuffy the Pooh on the operating table. It will take the edge off and make them real again. Think of it as seeing them in their underwear — emotionally.

Own it. Due to professional athletes and movie stars we tend to think important people don’t like to be made into a big deal.

False.

When all else fails, go big and make yourself their number one fan. They’ll eat it up. Who knows, maybe they just got an aggravating call from their husband or they lost big at the casino the night before. Chances are they’ll wave you off, but they are high fiving you on the inside.

Also if they see that you’re nervous they will know you’re serious about your time together.

***Quick note on this one: fifteen minutes is too long. And if your big wig is of the opposite sex… check the arm touching and cheezy eye contact. Not the right message.