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Do first impressions count?

How often has your first impression of someone left you thinking they are a positive and hardworking individual, or perhaps left you concerned about their work ethic and level of professionalism? It is undeniable that first impressions do count when first meeting someone, as it gives you a chance to present yourself in the way you wish to be perceived by others in the future.

Making a positive first impression

As we know, first impressions are extremely important, and it is crucial to be continually aware of the way we are presenting and carrying ourselves when meeting someone for the first time. When preparing to meet someone, there are numerous things you can focus on which will leave a positive and lasting impression if executed in the correct manner. Your appearance, coupled with a positive and professional attitude are perhaps the two most important aspects to be aware of when initially meeting someone. It is important to remember to convey yourself in the way you would like to be perceived in the future by your colleagues, employees and anyone else you may encounter.

What lasting impression do you want to leave and what lengths will you go to make people like you?

When meeting someone for the first time, it is important to identify the lasting impression you would like to leave with that particular individual, and how you are going to achieve it. As first impressions are vital, it is important to be authentic and true to yourself. If you aren’t, people will soon realise you are pretending to be something that you’re not, which can cause problems with your career and professional perception in the future.

We all have our limits of what we are willing to do in order to get people to like us, with some willing to go to extra lengths more than others. Before initially meeting someone, you should have a clear understanding of your own personal limits, and what you are willing to do to achieve them.

What does it take for you to be real?

Regardless of who you meet, you should remain continually aware of your core values and beliefs. Are you currently aware of yourself and your authenticity? If you are unsure, it is important to clearly identify what it takes for you to be real, such as owning all aspects of your personality whether they are positive or negative.

Regardless of the good, bad and the ugly side of your personality, it is important to accept it, as this will immediately bring awareness to others of your authenticity. By owning every aspect of yourself, you let others see your true self, which will in turn, help you greatly in interactions whether they are in your professional or personal life.

Authenticity brings positivity

Being authentic when meeting someone for the first time will immediately entice them to want to know you more. If you aren’t authentic, either by acting in an inappropriate manner, or by being overly extroverted, people will immediately know you are masking your true self from them, which will ultimately lead them to believe you have an ulterior motive and aren’t a genuine person. You should therefore always be authentic in your first interaction, as this will set a positive tone for your relationships with people in the future.

If you’d like to find out more about your true self, making a positive first impression, or professional development, contact Integrity and Values today

 

 

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