first impressions

How to Make a Good First Impression

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First_Impression

If you’re meeting clients for the first time and you want to make a good impression, you’d better make it fast. Research has shown that we form opinions about other peoples’ characters just seconds after meeting them (or possibly even milliseconds).

So if you want your clients to view you favorably and as someone they can trust, you need to make sure that you start off on the right foot. To help you on your way, here are a few “do’s and don’ts.”

Don’t:

  • Mumble
  • Hunch your shoulders
  • Cross your arms
  • Fidget
  • Look unhappy or angry
  • Look unhappy or angry and then suddenly smile when you notice someone looking at you (this is creepy)
  • Smile continuously, regardless of what is being discussed (this is also creepy)

Do:

  • Curve your lips up slightly into a pleasant expression
  • Greet people warmly
  • Stand with your back straight
  • Keep your arms relaxed at your sides
  • Keep your elbow at your side when shaking hands (instead of extending your arm out)
  • Smile when appropriate
  • Lean slightly towards whoever is speaking and focus intently on what he or she is saying

Good luck! And remember to make those first few seconds count!

 

Shellenbarger, S. (2018, January 30). The mistakes you make in a meeting’s first milliseconds. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-mistakes-you-make-in-a-meetings-first-milliseconds-1517322312?reflink=wsjevgrn&mod=e2fb

 

 

First Impressions – Two Things Make a Difference

By in Communication, Relationship Awareness No Comments Tags:

Friendly_Handshake

Let’s say that you’ve started a new job, and you’d like to make a good impression on your new coworkers. How should you behave? Well, according to psychologist Amy Cuddy, people base their opinions on two things:

  1. Warmth – Are you someone they can trust?
  2. Competence – Are you someone they can respect and rely on?

In the workplace, people often focus on demonstrating their competence. They want their managers and coworkers to see that they’re smart and good at their jobs. But according to Cuddy, it’s a mistake to only focus on demonstrating your competence. It’s actually crucial to first prove to people that you’re trustworthy.

If you’re obviously competent, but you seem to lack warmth, people might view you as unapproachable, manipulative, or threatening. In contrast, if you’re viewed as warm and trustworthy, people will want to work with you, and they’ll be impressed with their skills and competencies.

So the next time you meet someone new, show that person that you’re someone who can be trusted. Be warm, friendly, and approachable. You’ll be certain to make a good impression!

 

Goudreau, J. (2016, January 16). A Harvard psychologist says people judge you based on 2 criteria when they first meet you. Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/harvard-psychologist-amy-cuddy-how-people-judge-you-2016-1