Making a Better First Impression
In our earlier blog post, The Science of First Impressions, we discussed the key elements that go into making a first impression and the uphill climb we face IF we make a negative first impression. In this post, we’ll discuss the steps that research shows can help us make a better first impression.
Being humans, we make some immediate judgments about people, so when you meet someone, they will automatically judge what you look like, how you carry yourself, how you enter the room, how you greet other people. There are element of this that we have covered in our blog post called Displaying Confidence that can help you influence those judgments in a positive way.
From an interpersonal standpoint, there are some key additional strategies:
- Follow Appropriate Etiquette
Be on time. Dress appropriately for the situation. Stay away from gossip. - Give Them Your Undivided Attention
Eliminate distractions like your phone or your computer. Make eye contact. Show you are interested in them. - Gather Information About Them
Ask open-ended questions (who, when, why, where, how) to draw them out. - Be a Reflective Listener
As Stephen Covey says: Listen with the intent to understand, not to reply. Provide feedback and ideas that add to the conversation. Don’t interrupt. - Be Sincere and Attentive
Be your genuine self. Show your interest. Be curious. Be real.
Focusing on these key interpersonal strategies, especially in the first few minutes, can make a strong first impression. Carrying those strategies on through subsequent meetings with that person can lead to a strong relationship that can make a huge difference in your life and your work.
At True North Professional Development, we can help you develop skills that can improve your personal and business relationships. Give us a call at 425.835.2124 to learn more about our Business Coaching or how our Success-Minded Leader programs can impact your abilities.
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