First Impressions
Category Public Speaking
There are many ideas as to how much time someone gets to make a first impression. Some studies state you get 2 - 3 minutes to make a first impression, while other studies state you only have a few seconds to make a first impression. I think these studies have a number of variables that are not defined that impact the perception. If fact, we may discover that the timing is different for different people in different situations. That being said, the question I would like to examine is when the clock starts.
As a public speaker and trainer, I wish the clock started when I started talking but we are learning that this is far from the truth. In reality, first impressions start being generated when the audience or students see you for the first time. This may be in the room or standing in the hall. As a presenter you can use this to your advantage, if you know about it. However, this concept eludes many presenters and instructors. When their turn to speak in front of the group arrives, they walk slowly to the front, their excitement level is slightly higher then a slug. In a monotone voice the say how happy they are to be there, but they sound like anywhere else would be better then where they are.
What can you do about this?
Realize that even when you are not on stage, you are on stage. People are making judgments about you before, during and after your presentation. This can even go outside of the venue.
To put this into perspective, I was driving to work one day and got caught behind a slow car. However, as traffic would open up, he would speed up to prevent me from passing. After a few miles of this, the interstate opened up more than enough. I proceed to get past him and get to work. While passing, he gave me the one figure salute. Normally being late due to traffic wasn't a big deal but I had a meeting I had to get to and working downtown required a 6 - 7 block walk to get from the car to the office. As a race into the conference room, out of breath, who is stilling there, my boss and the salesman that I passed on the road. Now while his first impression of me may not have been the most positive, he was still willing to try to sell our company his product, however my first impression of him prevented the sale.
Keep this in mind so you will be successful.
First Impressions
There are many ideas as to how much time someone gets to make a first impression. Some studies state you get 2 - 3 minutes to make a first impression, while other studies state you only have a few seconds to make a first impression. I think these studies have a number of variables that are not defined that impact the perception. If fact, we may discover that the timing is different for different people in different situations. That being said, the question I would like to examine is when the clock starts.
As a public speaker and trainer, I wish the clock started when I started talking but we are learning that this is far from the truth. In reality, first impressions start being generated when the audience or students see you for the first time. This may be in the room or standing in the hall. As a presenter you can use this to your advantage, if you know about it. However, this concept eludes many presenters and instructors. When their turn to speak in front of the group arrives, they walk slowly to the front, their excitement level is slightly higher then a slug. In a monotone voice the say how happy they are to be there, but they sound like anywhere else would be better then where they are.
What can you do about this?
Realize that even when you are not on stage, you are on stage. People are making judgments about you before, during and after your presentation. This can even go outside of the venue.
To put this into perspective, I was driving to work one day and got caught behind a slow car. However, as traffic would open up, he would speed up to prevent me from passing. After a few miles of this, the interstate opened up more than enough. I proceed to get past him and get to work. While passing, he gave me the one figure salute. Normally being late due to traffic wasn't a big deal but I had a meeting I had to get to and working downtown required a 6 - 7 block walk to get from the car to the office. As a race into the conference room, out of breath, who is stilling there, my boss and the salesman that I passed on the road. Now while his first impression of me may not have been the most positive, he was still willing to try to sell our company his product, however my first impression of him prevented the sale.
Keep this in mind so you will be successful.
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