Have you ever wondered what impression you make? Would you like to know how others perceive your client? Would you like to appear confident and in control at all times? What
if your client always seems powerful and successful? These objectives can all be accomplished by gaining a better understanding of the development of a first impression.
We all don't like to be judged on appearance but the truth is, a first impression is formed in just thirty seconds. If that impression is negative, it takes six weeks of hard
work to reverse it.
Five Opinions People Form
After sizing you up for thirty seconds, most people form five opinions about you:
- Economic Status - Most people form an opinion of how much money they think you currently have or currently make. They form this opinion based mostly on your
clothing and your posture. If you carry yourself well, people believe you have more money. If you wear clean, well-pressed, good quality clothing, people believe you come from
wealth.
- Social Status - During an initial impression, people form opinions about how well connected you are and whether or not most people like you. This opinion is based
on your facial expressions and your tone of voice. If you sound like you are happy and confident, people will assume that you are likeable, friendly and well connected.
- Education Level - Most people form an opinion of your education level after you open your mouth. This opinion is rarely formed before you introduce yourself. A
proper introduction where you are assertive and polite, confident and pleasant will make people believe you are well educated.
- Marital Status - During an initial impression, most people decide whether they think you are married. Many factors go into an impression about your marital
status. Most people say they thought someone was married because they appeared healthy and secure. This is usually a reaction to your facial expressions, your clothing and your
introduction.
- Ability to be Successful - This impression is formed last, based on the entire package. After sizing you up, people will decide if you are a success or if you have
the ability to be successful.
First Impression Test
Below is Part 1 of our CI Image (tm) Diagnostic. (We will give you Part 2 in a future column.) This test will help you determine the image you currently project.
CI Image(tm) Diagnostic
I look sophisticated on weekdays and sloppy n weekends.
TRUE FALSE
I wear clean, pressed clothes to work and dirty, rumpled clothes outside of work.
TRUE FALSE
It takes people a while to get to know me.
TRUE FALSE
I have good posture at work and bad posture outside of work.
TRUE FALSE
Co-workers who run into me outside of work say they almost didn't recognize me.
TRUE FALSE
I would be uncomfortable running into a client on the weekend.
TRUE FALSE
My spouse/partner often says he/she can't take me anywhere.
TRUE FALSE
I am a different person at work than I am outside of work.
TRUE FALSE
My personality and body language change the minute I leave the office.
TRUE FALSE
I am organized at work and disorganized at home.
TRUE FALSE
Now, add up the number of times you selected "true" and the number of times you selected "false." If you have five or more true answers, then you have an inconsistent image.
If you have less than five true answers, you have a consistent image.
Inconsistent vs. Consistent Image
A consistent image means you can talk to anyone at any time and will be perceived the same way. A consistent image means you can run into a co-worker or boss outside of work
and be completely comfortable with them in an unfamiliar environment. You need to pick a comfortable image and stick with it.
Most people have an inconsistent image. Most of us have a "professional persona" and a "weekend persona." If you speak, act or dress differently depending on the environment,
you are presenting an inconsistent image. The more "images," the more difficult your life becomes. You never want to have to "shift" into your "work image" or "relax" into your
"weekend image." When people say, "that person is always so together," they are reacting to a consistent image.
Presenting a consistent image is vital for the success of your clients. Begin to examine both yourself and your clients with a critical, knowing eye. Understand the image
both you and your client project and ask yourself if that image is appropriate.
First Impression Exercise
Gather a group of at least five friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances and/or strangers. Everyone will need a few pieces of paper and a pencil. You will also need a
stopwatch or clock with a second hand.
Ask each person to stand up one at a time in front of the group. That person is not allowed to speak. Time thirty seconds on the stopwatch and then write down your
impressions of that person. You can write down a few sentences or just a few words. When everyone has recorded their impressions, fold your papers in half and pass them to that
person. Repeat this exercise with each person in the group.
Jennifer Rabin is a former television news anchor and founder of Command Image, an image definition and communications consulting company serving executives, corporate
spokespeople, athletes and politicians. Contact: 650/620-9090. [email protected]