You Only Have a Few Moments to Make a Lasting, First Impression
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First impressions are lasting impressions. Trying to correct a bad first impression can be done, but it may take time and effort. Whether you’re meeting a prospective client, another attorney or the opposing party during a mediation, first impressions count.
According to a 1992 study that first impression is formed within two seconds of seeing you, according to Entrepreneur magazine. Two Harvard researchers, Nalini Ambady and Robert Rosenthal, did an experiment where they asked students to rate two-second, silent, video clips of professors teaching. At the end of the semester they compared them to that same professor’s student evaluations. They found that those who got low video-clip ratings also got poor student evaluations and those who got strong ratings on their video clips received the best student evaluations.
Here are two suggestions that can improve those first moments.
- The grand entrance.
The first impression happens before we open our mouths. As important as it is to be prepared and speak in a way that gets the interest of others, that first impression occurs when someone sees us. Make sure your entrance into a meeting or event is a good one.
- Own your content.
Be confident with your material and be positive when presenting it. Use a powerful, memorized opening line because when you know what you’re saying you can focus on the delivery. Show some passion and intent. That’s what’s memorable. After those first two seconds make eye contact with each person in the room so they feel you’re talking to them. Then you can relax. You’ve been thin-sliced by your audience, hopefully positively.
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