Make a Great Impression

Caren was new in her managerial role. She came to her new company from a creative and casual environment. Her reputation in her previous company was excellent. She came into the first meeting with her colleagues with her usual good humor, effervescent personality, and bursting with insights and new ideas. This didn’t go over well. Why? Her new setting was in a more conservative, low-key environment, where people dressed formally. Although Caren was hired for her creativity, ideas, and high energy – something the company needed – she turned off most everyone in the room. What happened? 

Caren didn’t pay attention to the “difference/credibility balance.”  What does this mean? A person can be as different from the norms present in the group culture in direct relationship to how much they are perceived as credible. Caren didn’t consider how she might earn credibility with key stakeholders before she could be influential and add value using her unique gifts and strengths. The question Caren didn’t ask was: “How do I dress and speak to earn credibility with this group?” 

What do you do to earn credibility when you are new to a group or organization? Here are three tips to build trust.

How can I dress, stand, and look to be aligned with my purpose and goal?

First impressions count! We make them in just fractions of a second through our dress, style, posture, energy, speaking voice, and gestures. 

Dress for what’s normal in the group. Be authentic to your style, but ensure you do not permit your clothing to be a distraction from the strengths and value you bring. It’s not only your dress, but also your posture, handshake and facial expressions that create your impression. Credibility can rest on your standing tall and straight, walking with grace and energy, a firm handshake and a warm smile. 

Are my voice and tone working to support my first impression?

The tone of your voice also plays a significant role in making an impression regarding trustworthiness, aggressiveness, and warmth. If you are a manager or leader, make sure the tenor of your voice uses the lower/deeper tones in your range. This generates trustworthiness as well as confidence. Be careful not to end your sentences on a higher note. Your statements can be mistaken as questions or uncertainty.

Have I prepared some questions to ask others, so I can get them talking before I do?

Letting the other person or people have the floor before you do gives you plenty of information to tailor your style. You get important information you need to establish your agenda and approach, and they also can feel better understood. Have a few questions ready that align with your purpose and goals. Whenever you are the one asking the questions, this establishes you as the leader. The most effective way to do this is to ask questions from authentic curiosity, giving time and silence for 5 seconds before saying something yourself.

-Andrea Zintz, President, Strategic Leadership Resources