First Impressions...
The behaviours that make you more memborable.
First impressions are made in milliseconds and can be nearly impossible to change.
Whether you’re walking into a meeting, networking event, or social gathering, your body language and facial expressions determine how people perceive you before you even speak.
Here’s how to instantly leave a lasting, positive impression—without saying a word.
The power of your face
Microexpressions matter: People instinctively pick up on fleeting expressions. A furrowed brow or tense jaw can signal stress or disinterest before you even say hello.
The “sincere smile” trick: A genuine smile (one that reaches your eyes) makes you instantly likeable and approachable.
The eyebrow flash: A quick, natural eyebrow raise signals friendliness and openness when meeting someone.
Test Yourself: Try recording your own greeting in the mirror or on video. Do you look warm and welcoming, or stiff and forced?
Posture and presence
Enter the room with purpose: Walk with an upright posture, shoulders back, and a slight forward motion. This conveys confidence and energy.
Own your space: Avoid shrinking yourself, taking up space (comfortably) signals self-assurance.
Steady movements: Quick, jerky motions can make you appear anxious or unsure. Aim for smooth, controlled gestures.
Small shift, gig impact: Next time you enter a room, do a mental check, are you standing tall, or slouching?
Eye contact that builds connection
Find the right balance: Too little eye contact makes you seem untrustworthy. Too much can feel intimidating.
The 60/40 rule: Maintain eye contact around 60% of the time while speaking and 40% while listening to create a natural rhythm.
Blink naturally: Overly intense stares can feel unsettling. A relaxed gaze with occasional blinking makes you appear more engaged.
Try this: When meeting someone, hold eye contact just one second longer than usual, it creates a sense of warmth and connection.
The first few seconds of your voice
Avoid the “up talk” trap: Ending sentences like a question can make you sound uncertain.
Pace and tone: Speaking too fast can signal nervousness, while a measured pace projects confidence. Slow and steady wins the day.
Match energy levels: If you’re too low-energy, you seem disengaged. Too high energy can come off as overwhelming.
Quick fix: Record yourself introducing yourself. Do you sound confident and warm, or rushed and hesitant?
The handshake (or alternative greetings)
Firm, not crushing: A weak handshake can make you seem insecure, while an overly strong one can feel aggressive. Never be a wet lettuce handshake!
Palm positioning: Keeping your palm vertical conveys equality, while palm-down can come across as dominant.
Non-handshake alternatives: If a handshake isn’t appropriate, a slight nod or a relaxed wave can still create a positive first impression.
The lasting impression
People won’t always remember your words, but they’ll remember how you made them feel (Maya Angelou). This is a key concept when building and looking after relationships.
By fine-tuning your face, posture, eye contact, voice, and handshake, you can ensure that every first impression leaves a powerful, lasting impact.
Here’s a refined version for clarity and impact:
I help teams master body language to improve sales, customer service, negotiations, and presentations.
A full-day training starts at £1,750 + VAT.
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