A first impression, as psychologists suggest, is long-lasting. And the most surprising part is that you have very little connection to the quality of a person that you really are. It’s about the nonverbal cues, gestures, and imitations you make, rather than your merits.
We decided to share some tips with you to make a good first impression on Leil Lowndes, an internationally recognized communications specialist.
How To Have Great First Impressions
1. Smile With Some Delay
We all know that smiling is very important for good communication. However, it is not that plastic smile that shows simple courtesy.
Leil Lowndes explains how to make a better impression: First, look at someone else’s face, wait a few seconds, and then smile. This pause will make your smile more sincere.
2. Don’t Make Eye Contact For Long
According to an investigation, Lowndes says that when a man looks into the eyes of another for a long time, it can be interpreted as aggression.
Instead, she advises you to gradually extend eye contact time from the start of the meeting with someone.
The 60/40 rule will work perfectly in this case: Make eye contact about 60% of the time. The same is true of relationships between men and women.
3. Be Aware Of Your Posture
Look at champion athletes or political leaders – you will never see them with their shoulders or eyes lowered. Rather, they are always standing with perfect posture and a smile.
Therefore, they show confidence and make everyone like them. The expert advises you to do the exact same thing if you want to make the best first impression.
4. Show Your Interest
When you meet a new person, everyone thinks of two things: “Do I like them?” and “Do they like me?” Therefore, to make a good first impression, you must either show your interest in the person or you will appear arrogant, as Lowndes writes in his book.
The best way to do this is to use non-verbal cues like smiling, turning to them with your whole body, and more.
Pay attention and open all the barriers between the two of you: bags, glasses, your hands; they should not be closed either.
5. Get Rid Of Anxious Gestures
There is no special non-verbal signal that you are lying. However, there are many articles that say that demanding hand gestures are indicative of someone who may be hiding something.
Many people trust these prejudices; This is why you should be aware and avoid touching your neck, face, ears, or hair.
6. Be Empathetic
You cannot simply show your interest in a person by sending certain non-verbal signals, but by imitating their behavior and reacting accordingly.
This will make you look more attentive and impress you as a trustworthy person. And, as the expert says, “When you act as though you like someone, you start to really like them.”
7. Visualize The Meeting Beforehand
If you have some time before a meeting, try rehearsing it. Imagine talking to that person in front of a mirror, try a smile and posture and observe their gestures. Lowndes says visualization always helps you get better results.
What tricks do you use to make a good first impression? Don’t be ashamed to share them with us in the comments section!
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