Self-Evaluation
Choose ONE word from this list of adjectives or pick your own to fill in the blank. When people first meet me, they think I am_____
- Charismatic or boring
- Outgoing or shy
- Kind or judgmental
- Intelligent or weird
- Open or closed
- Powerful or weak
- Engaging or odd
- Professional or casual
Did you pick a positive word? Or a negative word? You have to know where you stand now to move to where you want to be.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
Thin-slicing is when we take a mental snapshot of someone and guess their competence, confidence and likability in less than a second.Â
The most important thing to do for giving a good impression is to set your intention. Right now pick your ideal first impression word. When people first meet me, I want them to see me as_______.
People can judge our personality from handshakes alone. What does yours say?
Your goal is that your nonverbal shows whomever youâre interacting with that youâre calm, confident and powerful. You can do this with a launch stance.
- Your toes â which should always be pointed toward the person you are speaking with.
- Your hands â should always be visible and ideally expressive as you speak.
- Your arms â should always be loose so there is space between your torso and arms so you can gesture and easily reach out to shake hands.
- Your shoulders â which should be down and back so they look nice and relaxed. They also should be angled towards the person you are interacting with.
- Your chin â which should be neutral so you are not looking up at someone or sneering down at someone.
There is almost no way to make a good first impression if you are having a bad day. If you have to go to an event, find a way to snap yourself out of your bad mood.Â
Working out, calling a friend or watching funny or inspiring YouTube videos before events often gets you in a more social, feel-good mood.
Get some of your favorite outfits or ornaments together and ask friends you trust what they think of when they see them.Â
RELATED IDEAS
Youâve got a lot to pack into those seven seconds to make your impression a positive one.
- Language. âPlease,â âThank You,â and âYouâre Welcome,â demonstrate to others that you value their effort, thought, and/or generosity.
- Names. Always address others in business by their title (Mr., Mrs., or Ms.) and their last name, unless they request you use a given name or nickname.
- Attire and Dress. The way a person dresses can demonstrate their respect for whoever they are meeting.
- Eye Contact. Most people believe that those who do not make eye contact are lying or avoiding something, or that they lack the confidence to interact effectively with other people.
- Speaking. A clear, well-modulated speaking voice is an important social tool, and contributes to the ease of communication and a good first impression.
- Handshake. While the handshake should be firm, too much pressure shows a desire to dominate and can be a negative signal.
People always remember how you made them feel.
Taking the focus off of yourself and putting it on someone else can help others perceive you in a better light: make someone feel appreciated, find a point of commonality to bond over or share something interesting youâve learned.