Words of wisdom for this week.
“It’s not what we don’t know that hurts; it’s what we know that ain’t so.”
– Will Rogers
There is an old saying – ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’. I don’t really know whether it is true or not. Many old clichés have a way of hanging around for years and people seldom question them. Point is, first impressions do matter especially in business.
In your personal life if you make a poor first impression on a new friend or member of the opposite sex it probably won’t cost you your job or suddenly put you in the ranks of the unemployed. However, a consistent poor first impression in business can create a stigma that can be hard to shake.
Why are first impressions so important? When we first meet someone we judge them (right or wrong) on a number of factors:
- their physical appearance
- how they are dressed
- their posture
- their confidence
- their ability to communicate (speak articulately and listen actively)
- their social graces
- are they friendly
- their smile
- the non-verbal gestures they send (positive, negative, congruent)
- their eye contact
- what they resonate
People then filter all of the above items through their own unique perceptual mental filter and come to some conclusions: (these are not right or wrong, accurate or inaccurate just the way the other person interprets what they see or hear.)
- I like this person
- I don’t like this person.
- I respect this person
- I don’t respect this person
- I trust this person
- I don’t trust this person
- I accept this person at face value.
- I sense some underlying hidden agendas.
What are some of the contributors to a positive or favorable first impression?
- a genuine smile
- a firm handshake
- confident, open body language
- good erect posture
- eye contact, but not staring
- the ability and willingness to listen
- good verbal skills and vocabulary
- appropriate dress for the occasion
- good personal hygiene
- asking the other person questions about them (showing an interest)
- keeping your ego (the need to look good, manipulate or control) in check
What are some common first impression mistakes people make?
- They talk too much.
- They act disinterested in the other person.
- They appear to be nervous in new social/business settings.
- They have slumping posture.
- They lack adequate eye contact.
- They don’t listen.
- They have a ‘fish-like, limp, un-inspiring’ handshake.
What type of first impressions do you make on new prospects?
Make Some Memories Every Day…