The Influence of First Impressions

First impressions can make or break a relationship. Be it personal, casual or professional, all future interactions and reactions within that relationship can be dependent on that first meeting. Your demeanor, appearance, and even your nonverbal communication habits can all impact how you are perceived, and that is before you even open your mouth to speak. MindTools (2011) states that, “It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time.” If we do not make a good first impression, we might not have an opportunity to make a second or third. This is important in leadership, because that impression you make on both upper management and potential followers and employees could mean the difference between success and failure.

Do you have a very vivid first impression of someone that affected your view of him or her negatively or positively for the rest of your relationship with him or her? Did anything they do or say after that first impression change your opinion of them? I remember being at an audition for a community theater musical production and a woman came in asking if her teenage daughter could audition. When her daughter proved to have a little stage fright, she berated her in front of everyone for wasting her time. I was pretty horrified by the public embarrassment she caused her daughter, especially since public humiliation is somewhat of a phobia of mine. A month or so later a started work for a new company and discovered that this mother was working there also. I was very uneasy around her and found it difficult to trust her actions and motives because of my memories of what she had subjected her daughter to. Every interaction I had with this woman was colored ...

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... 2011). All of these attributes can invoke a reaction before you have even introduced yourself or said a word. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to be aware of how you are presenting yourself to people, be it as potential employer, employees, or in personal relationships.

References

Clark, Don. (2010). Big dog & little dog’s performance juxtaposition. Retrieved from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadhb.html

Moua, Mia. (2010). Practical applications in leadership – Impact of leadership on human behavior. Retrieved from http://csuglobal.blackboard.com/courses/1/SPRING11B-8-ORG300-3/content/_277120_1/dir_xid-34004_2/org300_2.html#

Mind Tools. (2011). Making a great first impression. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/FirstImpressions.htm

Milne, A.A. (1926). Winnie-the-pooh. United Kingdom: Methuen & Co. Ltd.