Within the first three seconds of a
new encounter, you are evaluated… even
if it is just a glance.
People appraise your visual and behavioral
appearance from head to toe. They observe
your demeanor, mannerisms, and body language
and even assess your grooming and accessories – watch,
handbag, briefcase. Within only three
seconds, you make an indelible impression.
You may intrigue some and disenchant
others.
This first impression process occurs
in every new situation. Within the first
few seconds, people pass judgment on
you – looking for common surface
clues. Once the first impression is made,
it is virtually irreversible.
The process works like this:
- If you appear to be of comparable
business or social level, you are considered
suitable for further interaction.
- If you appear to be of higher business
or social status, you are admired and
cultivated as a valuable contact.
- If you appear to be of lower business
or social standing, you are tolerated
but kept at arm's length.
- If you are in an interview situation,
you can either appear to match the
corporate culture or not, ultimately
affecting the outcome.
It is human nature to constantly make
these appraisals, in business and social
environments.
You may hardly have said a word, however
once this three-second evaluation is
over, the content of your speech will
not change it. When you make the best
possible first impression, you have your
audience in the palm of your hand. When
you make a poor first impression, you
lose your audience’s attention,
no matter how hard you scramble to recover
it.
You can learn to make a positive and
lasting first impression, modify it to
suit any situation, and come out a winner.
Doing so requires you to assess and identify
your personality, physical appearance,
lifestyle and goals. Those who do will
have the advantage.
