3. As we have discussed in past classes, first
impressions are so very important.
When you first meet someone, that person has no
way of knowing if you have self confidence, if you
are good at what you do, if you are intelligent, or if
you are a good person.
Instead, they rely on CUES you provide to help
them form opinions about you.
First Impressions
4. Don’t forget, you have only 30 seconds to make
that first impression.
If that interaction does not go well, it takes
approximately 20 additional POSITIVE encounters
with that person to undo that bad first impression.
5. Eye Contact – look people in the eye when you
are talking with them; make it appropriate
Posture – lean slightly in toward the person you
are greeting to convey you are warm and caring
Handshake – firm, but not over the top. No “jive”
handshakes; no two-handed handshakes
Cues that People Notice
6. Dress and Grooming – always dress
appropriately. At home, dress however you wish;
dress appropriately for the social situation.
Always be groomed…meaning shower, use
deodorant, and comb your hair in an appropriate
style.
Facial Expressions – SMILE! Show people you
are nice.
Tone of Voice and Word Selection – convey with
your voice that you are warm and caring, but also
that you know what you are talking about
7. Level of Relaxation/Stress – show that you are
relaxed, even if you are nervous. Don’t be uptight
or stressed out.
Energy Level – have a sense of “being alive”; be
awake, alert, and interested in the interaction.
To improve on these things…you must
PRACTICE
8. First Impressions Assignment: You will have to
approach 2 adults here at GEHS that you do not
know and introduce yourself.
See the assignment handout for specific
requirements
You must also give out the survey form to each of
the adults you approach. This survey form will be
returned to me by each of them. See the handout.
Assignment
9. Now that you will have practice making actual first
impressions, let’s go over some other very
important skills needed when interacting with
others, let’s say in the professional world.
Whether you are going in for a new job, seeking a
college scholarship, etc. there are certain skills
you need regarding interacting with people to
simply be successful in the real world.
10. How would you respond if you are
standing in a circle of people and
someone enters the room and
walks up to the group with the
intention of entering it?
11. What do you do when you are
behind a desk and person who
has an appointment with you
enters the room?
12. How would you handle a situation
where a person who has an
appointment with you has overstayed
his/her time? How would you let the
person know it is time for the meeting
to end?
13. As we have discussed, making good first
impressions is important to being a leader. But
you MUST focus on the INTERNAL things you
want to convey:
◦ WARMTH
◦ KINDNESS
◦ AUTHORITY
◦ KNOWLEDGE
◦ GENUINENESS
Internal Qualities of Leaders
14. Research tell us that:
◦ 55% of every message is communicated
through the use of BODY LANGUAGE
◦ 38% of a message is communicated
through your TONE OF VOICE
◦ Only 7% of a message is communicated
through the ACTUAL WORDS WE SAY
15. So instead of worrying so much on WHAT we
are going to say, we ought to be working on
HOW we are going to say it!
The overall goal of this is always based on
building relationships. Leaders understand that
others’ need should be considered at least as
important as their own.
16. The topic of our third speech is: Memorable Experiences
So think of THREE memorable experiences you have had
in your life and would like to share with the class.
Remember to come up with a good title, as well as good
opening and closing lines.
Work on not only what you are going to say, but HOW you
will say it through your body language, tone of voice, and
overall presence.
Speeches will be for one and half minutes!
Speech Assignment
17. Do you consider yourself confident? Why or why
not? Give examples and elaborate.
Are you self-confident in certain situations as
compared to other situations? Explain and
support.
Whether you are naturally self-confident or not,
how can you present yourself to others in a way
that demonstrates self-confidence?
Journal Questions