Four tips on making a good first impression

Whether you are a long-term team leader or an aspiring manager, the ability to maintain good relations with people around you (be they colleagues, subordinates or business partners) is key for your career development. Another thing a leader needs in order to succeed is a certain charisma. At the same time, the way people around you see you depends a lot on the first impression you make on them. This article looks at how you can make the best possible first impression on whomever you are meeting.

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Remember to smile

As Management Issues states, the simplest and most effective way to make a good impression on someone and seem likeable to them is simply to smile. People will then feel you are in a good mood, are sufficiently self-confident and your intentions are good. A positive attitude and aura around a person is always appreciated by those in their presence.

Keep eye contact

Do not let your eyes wander all around the place; focus on looking the other person in the eye when talking to them. Eyes flitting is a sign of nervousness or an attempt to hide something, so maintain a steady look. A good habit at the initial contact stage is trying to distinguish the colour of the other person's eyes. This will help you keep a sufficiently long eye contact during the crucial first few seconds.

Take an interest in the other person

We are all a little egoistic and people most enjoy talking about themselves. If you display an interest in someone, you will immediately become likeable in their eyes. So you should ask questions, let the other person talk about themselves and show you are interested in them.

Copy the expressions and gestures of the other person

We all subconsciously tend to trust people made from the same dough, so to speak, who behave the same way we do. You may induce this feeling in others by mirroring their gestures, expressions, behaviour and style of communication. This is a simple yet effective psychological trick that will help you establish a closer relationship with the person you are talking to.

 

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Article source Management Issues - British website cntaining practical information, tips and advice to managers
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