Making a good impression is important - especially for those of us in the public’s eye.
So how does one go about making a good impression? If a first impression is critical and poor one difficult to overcome, how do we ensure a pleasant recollection in the minds of those we encounter? Let me outline a few simple rules you should follow:
• Offer a smile. Nothing conveys acceptance or friendliness quite like a genuine smile. It also reduces or eliminates your fear. You cannot smile and feel scared or worried at the same time!
• Maintain eye contact. This conveys respect for the person and belies a good self-image on your part.
• Use the other’s name and often. You will convey courtesy and respect, not to mention remember the person’s name by repeating it several times during the course of conversation.
• Focus on that person. As we discussed earlier, do not dominate the conversation, but rather allow the other person to become the center of attention.
There’s also a list of DON’Ts:
• Disagree - unless it really matters
• One-up the other person
• Try to sound perfect
All you will do is damage the other person’s self worth - and that’s not good!
As with all people skills, there are no gimmicks, but there is a secret when it comes to impressions. One surefire way to make a good impression on someone is to let him know he is making one on you!
Are you making a good impression today?
* Excerpts from Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!
Great tips, as usual, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI would just add one more that works for me- let your passion shine through.
Its important to let the other person feel as though they are important. Never condescend to people. Remembering names is a bit difficult sometimes. Its something I need to be better at.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
Great tips, Diane. I also find that one good way to make a good first impression is this: relax and be yourself. No one wants to talk to or listen to someone who's not being genuine.
ReplyDeleteJai
I try to make good impressions but I don't always succeed. These are great tips. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCD
Many thanks for yet some more useful tips. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Great tips. I'm better now at first impressions.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tips! Thanks for this list, I should print it out and give it to people I meet LOL. Just kidding, I need it myself :)
ReplyDeleteGood addition, Rayna!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen!
Amen to that, Jai.
Karen, don't you wish you could just hand out the rules so everybody followed them?
I never realized that you can’t smile and feel scared or worried at the same time. That info alone made me smile. Thanks for the good tips.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips. I understand if you smile while speaking on the phone it makes your voice more pleasant to the listener-I bet this works for podcasts, too.
ReplyDeleteSo smile! Cheers~
great advice. My biggest flaw (in my opinion) is that I blush...constantly. It makes me uncomfortable and I'm sure it makes the person I'm meeting uncomfortable. I think i need to invest in heavy makeup or something. lol.
ReplyDeleteI have the hardest time remembering names. I usually tell the person up front, too. They're usually great sports and, more often than not, have the same problem!
ReplyDeleteI like to make eye contact, smile and be honest. Every year at open house, I tell parents that I'm shy and meeting people makes me nervous. Then I make a joke and get on with it.
I also try to find common ground and meet them where they're at-if they're serious, I'm serious. If they're laughing, I'm a bit looser...
I try really hard not to think too much about the first impression-I'll only get more nervous!
Really great tips. And very true ones!
Isn't it amazing how rules for great marketing are about the same as for great living!
ReplyDelete(-:
Carolyn
Hi Diane .. so true .. and in general life too - the other person is more important than we are .. if we show a genuine interest in them .. they'll remember us ..
ReplyDeleteThanks - great ideas .. Carolyn H-J - I see summed it rather well ..
Thanks - enjoy the week .. Hilary
This is great advice! It's also nice when the other person asks you questions - I guess that's the same as taking an interest. I find sometimes I end up conducting a one-way interrogation! And that ain't good for anyone. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, great tips. Thanks for sharing them. I'm bad with the name one. I'll keep working on it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! This week be a weekly series from now on, so hope it's a benefit to those who read it.
ReplyDeleteIf it is necessary to disagree, it's a good idea to have gotten on that parties good side first. If they have a positive impression and feel that you are a "friend" they will be more apt to listen receptively. Then before you state your disagreement, agree with them first-- in other words you say something like, "I agree with this part of what you say, but don't you think...." You might be able to skillfully and graciously make them see things your way.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm terrible with names. I like those events where everyone is wearing name tags.
Lee
Tossing It Out