Want to make a great first impression and set yourself apart as a leader? Here's how -
We all want to make a great first impression. Whether you're looking for a new job, meeting new business contacts, networking with other professional or even making new friends, how you come across to others in the first few minutes of meeting them is how they will perceive you. If they get an inaccurate idea of who you are, it might take a lot of time and hard work on your part to convince them to change their mind.
Everyone thinks that they are good communicators and we all believe that we are making great impressions on those around us, but sometimes even when we think we're being interesting and engaged, they are seeing us as bored or passive. We all have the ability to be great communicators, it just takes a little bit of practice. If you are worried that you aren't making the best first impression you can, or you just want to fine tune your skills, here are some tips that can help you out:
- Have a plan – Planning for success is key. If you don't know what you want to achieve, it is hard to ever get there. Before you walk into any situation, be it a lunch meeting, a workshop or a networking event, have an idea of exactly what you want to get out of it. What is it that you are hoping to accomplish. By having a clear picture in your mind of your goal, your body language and demeanor will come across as confident rather than indecisive.
- Go to the center – In a crowded room, don't just stick to the sides. If you look at any gathering, the people who are the most confident and successful always seem to be in the center of the room. Walk into the center of the room, and when you are there, immediately strike up a conversation with someone. If you hesitate, it becomes obvious and you can come off as shy or insecure. This nice things about this tactic is that other people who are standing on the sidelines will assume that you are one of the confident, successful, center of attention dwellers. Then, when you get the chance to speak with them, they will already think of you as a leader.
- Let other people talk – When you are talking to someone, be sure to ask them questions that allow them to talk more. People love to talk, and their favorite subject to talk about is themselves. If you give them a chance to talk about themselves, they will like you more. Honest, it's really that simple. The more interesting they feel, the more interesting they will think you are, even if you haven't really said much about yourself.
- Watch your body language – Especially in group settings, be careful that your body language isn't telling others that you aren't open to talking. Body language is one of the biggest factors in a person's likeability. The most important thing is to make eye contact and smile. Of course, you don't want to stare someone down or smile like an idiot for 10 minutes, but you do want to be sure that they know that you are engaged, listening and happy.
- Shake hands – Touch is a powerful thing. Don't be afraid to shake hands with the people you meet. A handshake can do wonders for building rapport. If you are woman, don't think that shaking hands makes you seem aggressive. It doesn't. In fact, a good handshake is a great way to break the ice with both men and women.
What other things do you think are important in making a good first impression? Please feel free to share your tips and tricks here in the comments.
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By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for BusinessWorkForceBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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