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Use Your Body Language to Make a Great First Impression By Terry Bragg You make your first impression upon someone quickly—within seven to thirty seconds of meeting them. It’s easier to make a good first impression than to correct a negative impression. A first impression is primarily dependent upon your nonverbal signals. To make a favorable first impression, you must use your body language to your advantage. It’s easier to start a relationship on a positive note than to repair a relationship that has gone sour. Apply these tips to help you make a favorable first impression. 1. Focus on the person. Make and maintain appropriate eye contact. People tend to believe people who will look them in the eye. Don’t stare them down, and don’t use "rabbit eyes" that flit about the room. Your attention is directed where you look. So if you are not looking at the other person, they may conclude you are not paying attention to them or that you feel they are not important. Also, blank looks will not win you any points. Concentrate on the other person. 2. Monitor your vocal quality. Watch your tonality and the words you emphasize. Make sure your voice conveys confidence and credibility. Avoid hesitant speech patterns. 3. Match your words with your body language. If your words and body language send different messages, people will usually believe your body language. Be aware of possible incongruities and mismatches. Make sure your body language supports and reinforces your words. Make sure your facial expressions match your words. 4. Pay attention to your posture. Think tall. Center your upper body over your hips. Tuck in your stomach, and hold your shoulders back. Imagine that a string is pulling upward from the top of your head. Stand evenly on both feet. And, did I mention, relax? Yeah, right. Don’t slouch, stoop, or shuffle. Avoid crossing your feet or legs while you stand because others may see you as mousy. 5. Avoid commando postures. Avoid putting your hands on your hips or clasping your hands behind your head. These postures may convey disapproval, superiority, or arrogance to others. 6. Watch your movements. Walk briskly with an easy stride. Avoid fidgeting with your hands, or bringing your hands to your face. Avoid excessive or unnecessary movements. When moving, usually less is more. Excessive movements may signal nervousness, jitteriness, or flightiness. Confident people usually slower and more controlled with their movements. 7. Smile. Smiling shows you enjoy being with others. Your smile must be sincere. Many people think they are smiling when they are grimacing or sneering. 8. Relax. Take a few deep breaths before entering a room or meeting someone. People want to be around others who are confident and relaxed. 9. Honor cultural differences. In some cultures, these rule will not apply. So the rule is to honor the culture of the person with whom you are communicating. For example, in some Asian and Native American cultures, eye contact is not as appropriate as in European cultures. So when speaking to someone from an Asian or Native American culture, do not stare them down. Be respectful by honoring their culture. Use your body language to help you make a positive first impression. You may never get a second chance, and by the time you speak, you may have already had your only chance. Terry Bragg and Peacemakers Training offers a variety of tools for promoting, maintaining, and recognizing excellence in your workplace. We also offer tools for helping you achieve and maintain personal excellence. To learn more about these tools, click here: Tools for Workplace and Personal Excellence To find out more about Terry's book, 31 Days to High Self-Esteem, click here: 31 Days to High Self-Esteem To learn more about onsite seminars and workshops for improving interpersonal relationships, resolving conflict, and promoting and maintaining excellence in your workplace, click here: Seminars & Workshops ©2002 All rights reserved Terry Bragg•Peacemakers Training Terry Bragg runs a company called Peacemakers Training in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is the author of the book 31 Days to High Self-Esteem. He works with organizations to create a workplace where people want to work, and with managers who want their people to work together better. If you want your organization or your people to have more energy, more trust, more respect, and more meaning, please contact him at: Peacemakers Training Subscribe to our Free |
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