Making a Good First Impression

I subscribe to a pretty cool newsletter called "Administrative Professional". Okay - to some of you - this may be more lame then some of the other subscriptions out there - but for my career - it's perfect!

It's funny - I was JUST thinking about this the other day - Making First Impressions. This is so important! I would have to say that the first impressions someone has about us are the most crucial! It's all about what you do and say within the first 5 minutes of meeting someone that will make or break it. As Christians, our number one goal ought to be making LASTING first impressions. I believe that we can change the world one person at a time - and it all begins with that first impression.

Here is what Admin. Pro. has to say in an article they wrote on Making First Impressions...

"You've got 15 seconds to make a good impression when meeting someone for the first time. And after about 4 minutes, people will decide whether or not they want to deal with you beyond those first four minutes. Here are the essentials for making a positive impression - on clients, customers, peers and managers or leaders - every time:

1.) Make eye contact and extend your hand for a hand shake. They're two fo the most powerful actions you can take to make a stong impression on someone.

2.) Ask questions to build rapport quickly. People remember those who show interest in them. Always have stock questions ready, such as 'What do you enjoy most about your work?'

First impression no-no: Talking only about yourself.

3.) 'Mirror' their behavior to send the signal that you're listening. If they talk fast, you talk fast. If they cross their legs, you cross your legs... after a pause. Subtlety is key.

4.) Be nice. The real secret to making a good first impression is making others feel better than they did before they met you."

In self-evaluating myself, I have discovered that I really have some work to do in making lasting first impressions with people... I had to take a hard look at myself and ask "What is it that I want people to see in me? What kind of impression do I want to make on people?" My answer to my own question is simple... "I want them to see Jesus. I want them to feel sincerity in every word that comes from my mouth."

What about you? Have you thought about what kinds of lasting impressions you want to make with people. When someone walks always from meeting YOU for the first time, what do you want them to say that they saw?"