A first impression occurs
in a situation when one person first meets another person and an instant mental
image and impression of that person is formed based on a wide range of
characteristics such as their age, race, culture, language, gender, physical
appearance, accent to name a few.
First impressions have a significant effect on the future
of a relationship. In a first impression, the person you are meeting is trying
to answer for themselves two basic questions about you: “are your intentions
good?” and “are you competent?” Some people seem to have a natural charisma
that leaves no doubt about these questions.
Creating a positive first impression
is situational so prepare yourself. A first impression can be formed in a
matter of seconds and is very difficult to change once it has been made. This
initial impression will also preside over an interaction between two people so
making a positive first impression
is vital. This does not mean that you have to conform and change who you are. There are some simple
steps to take that improve the chances of making a positive first impression:
Attire- When
a person walks into a room, one of the first things you notice is what they are
wearing. The way a person dresses can tell you a lot about them and their personality.
If you are not sure about the guidelines, call them and ask.
Be honest-
If, during a conversation, a person reveals a challenge they often face and you
have also experienced something similar, share this with them. Don’t forget, we
all face trials and. They are packaged differently and when we find we have
something in common, it helps to build a rapport, and in turn, leave a positive
first impression.
Be professional- When
asked a question about a person whom you do not like, a country you have never
visited, respond in a professional manner. No matter how tempting it can be,
try to refrain from talking badly about a person or country, you never know who
that person knows or which country they are from.
Body language- Culture
plays a big part when it comes to body language.
I’ve witnessed quite a few situations where inappropriate body language has
been a real conversation stopper and left a few people feeling
embarrassed. Know the culture and understand what is considered offensive
and if you are unsure, research or ask questions.
Genuine- Be
natural and don’t try to fake it. People can be very perceptive and
generally dislike someone who tries to know it all. Making a positive first
impression is not about wanting to tell the other person what you know and how
good you are at something.
It’s more about
creating a memorable encounter and showing a genuine interest in the other person,
listening and responding to what is being said or asked, rather than what you think is being said or asked. Your
smile and laugh also needs to be genuine. There is nothing worse than a cheesy
smile from someone when you walk into the room because throughout the
conversation, your mind will take you back to that.
Names- Remembering
names can be quite a challenge especially when there are more than three
people. One of the ways to remember names is to write them down in the same
order they are seated. If someone says their name, and l didn’t hear it or have
difficulty in pronouncing it, ask them to spell it.
Preparation- When
l talk about preparation here, I’m not just referring to preparation for a
meeting. It’s more than that. Finding some
topics of interest to discuss while you are perhaps waiting for everyone to
arrive, and knowing something about people’s background and topics you may have
in common.
Punctuality- Someone
once said to me, “arriving on time is late.” I took a moment to think about
this and saw that he did have a point. If a meeting is at 2 pm and you arrive
at the building at 2 pm, then will you reach your meeting on time? I believe
that getting to the actual venue 20 minutes before the meeting is safe.
“We
all have too many wheels, screws and valves to judge each other on first
impressions or one or two pointers. I don't understand you. You don't
understand me, and we don't understand ourselves.” (Anton Chekov) [i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“Eight Ways to Make A Positive First Impression” by Natalie
Brown
·
“How to Make a Good First Impression” by wikiHow
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