It takes approximately 15 seconds to make first impressions count, yet they leave a long-lasting image in other peoples’ minds. What is the benfit of a good first impression? It provides leverage.
“It gives the benefit of the doubt… [A good first impression] gives more latitude to be human.”
Doris Clark, Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future
How do first impressions work?
The Primacy Effect
The primacy effect is a cognitive bias and refers to an individual’s tendency to better remember the first piece of information they encounter than the information they receive later on.
(The Decisions Lab)
Developing from the idea of assimilation, once a person has developed a schema and the expectancy has formed, we process new information through a filter that keeps that intact. This is natural, as it helps us create informed decisions about people and circumstances. Although occasionally we are wrong, or our schemas are tainted by pre-defined biases.
The Primacy Effect proves that the information presented first in one singular instance is most important. Learn more from The Decisions Lab.
But the question remains, can you change what someone thinks of you?
The Recency Effect
In theory yes, with repeated effort.
The Recency Effect is similar in the way that it helps develop the schema that someone builds around you. The Recency Effect describes the phenomena where we judge a person or circumstance from a set of recent information. It occurs most often when there is an abundant amount of information to be processes, and we end up relying on the most recent clues.
In theory, you will be able to then change a persons perception of you by repeating actions and thoughts that you want someone to associate you with.
Like layers that build on eachother, we only understand what we see first. For example, much of ancient history is buried below the ground and from our perspective we just don’t see it. It’s not that the history or passed beautiful structures weren’t there to begin with, it’s just that its not in our view or even relevant to today.
How To Secure Solid First Impressions
Let’s get off on a good start…
Fundamental basics;
- Be on time.
- Be clean.
- Be confident & positive.
- Smile!
- Actively listen and ask genuine questions.
- Keep it light hearted.
In a business setting;
- Do your homework — research the company and prepare some talking points. Answer the ‘Why?’ question.
- Try to keep your body language open.
- Pitch yourself as an opportunity, a resource for them. Make it all about them. See more about presentation here.
- Find common ground — business can be repetitive and unipersonal, the occasional connection is good and personalises your experience. Stay memorable!
- Know your strengths and play to them — If you’re a funny person, be funny. Create a memorable conversation.
- Follow up on your meeting.
Make Digital First Impressions Count
Now more than ever, first impressions are made digitally or over the phone. The way you say goodbye, a blunt response in an email, even an accidental pause has the potential of being conflated by anothers perceptions.
The desire to settle a curiosity about someone has become even easier by social media. What can we do to mitigate incorrect impressions online?
- Google yourself!
See what comes up first. If it’s not exactly what you want, add or subtract information from the offending sources, take down images or add them.
- Make your accomplishments visible
If it’s important to you, turn your LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook into a portfolio of your work and successes. Don’t be afraid to remain candid either (if it makes sense), sometimes we learn the most from our biggest failures.
- Privacy settings
If irrelevant or personal information seems to be flooding your Google search, review your privacy settings to firewall your information.
- It’s your story!
You have full control over your personal accounts, tailer them to display your unique personal brand. If you’re not entirely sure how to do this, hire someone to help you. There are plenty of personal brand experts out there!
15 seconds is a very short space of time but I believe it to be long enough to appreciate your surroundings and someone else’s efforts. The time we take and spend to perfect our first impressions, even the digital ones, will pay off in the long run.
