Monday, 24 September 2018 14:40   |   Read 4414 times

90% of people make up their mind about you within 4 minutes. First impressions really do count!

If you'd like to put your best foot forward, here's three simple ideas for how to make a powerful first impression.

1) Use the most common gesture in the world

The "eyebrow flash" is the most common gesture in the world. Even in cultures where it didn't evolve as part of their society, they've learned that much of the rest of the world instinctively gives this gesture on meeting people for the first time.

It's a fairly simple gesture - raise your eyebrows and make your eyes wider!

This gives people the impression that you've "seen" them, that you recognise their presence. It makes them feel a sense of importance in your world.

It's so effective that people will wait in line 7 minutes longer, on average, if the person they're waiting for gives them this simple gesture of recognition!

2) Use a smile

You smile with your teeth. Anything less gives whoever's on the receiving end the sense that the attempt at a smile is insincere. This is the "primate play face" and it's one of the deepest instincts we have.

3) Handshake the right way

A handshake can convey an astoundingly complex array of meanings. If you want to create the right first impression with a handshake, it's a good idea to match your opposite number with your palm straight and vertical, and responding with the same firmness of grip.

If the other person gives you a softer shake than yours, back off to match it. It will make that person more comfortable. 

If they give you a firmer squeeze that you, increase your firmness to match. It will make you appear more confident.

This last one is particularly important for women, who have often been on the receiving end of handshakes intended to intimidate.

 

Allan Pease

Interested in for your next event?

Allan Pease researches and studies the psychology of selling, relationships and human communication. He teaches simple, field-tested skills and techniques that get results.

And he delivers his message with humor, which motivates people to want to use these ideas immediately. Allan takes you through powerful communication techniques and teaches you how to decode other people's behavior - and what to do about it. He also reveals the subtle clues that appear in meetings, phone calls, negotiations and face-to-face encounters.

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