Developing a Professional Presence
Professional presence
Professional presence is a dynamic blend of poise, self confidence, control, and style that empowers us to be able to command respect in any situation. Once acquired, it permits us to project a confidence that others can quickly perceive the first time they meet us.
The importance of making a good first impression
A positive first impression can be thought of as the first step in building a long-term relationship.
The Primary Effect
The development of professional presence begins with a full-appreciation of the first impression. The tendency to form and retain impressions quickly at the time of an initial meeting illustrates what social psychologist call a primacy effect in the way people perceive one another.
The general principle is that initial information tends to carry more weight than information received later. First impressions establish the mental framework within which a person is viewed, and information acquired later is often ignored or reinterpreted to coincide with this framework.
The First Few Seconds
When two people meet, their potential for building a relationship can be affected by many factors. Within a few moments, one person or the other may feel threatened, offended or bored.
Assumptions versus Facts
The impressions you form of another person during the initial contact is made up both assumptions and facts. Most people tend rely more heavily on assumption during the initial meeting. If job applicants sit slumped in the chair, head bowed and shoulder slack, you might assume the person is not very interested in the position.
If the postal clerk fails to make eye contact during the transaction and does not express appreciation for your purchase, you may assume this person treats everyone with indifference.
Cultural Influence
Cultural influences often formed during the early years of our life, lead us to have impressions of some people even before we meet them. People often develop
Professional presence is a dynamic blend of poise, self confidence, control, and style that empowers us to be able to command respect in any situation. Once acquired, it permits us to project a confidence that others can quickly perceive the first time they meet us.
The importance of making a good first impression
A positive first impression can be thought of as the first step in building a long-term relationship.
The Primary Effect
The development of professional presence begins with a full-appreciation of the first impression. The tendency to form and retain impressions quickly at the time of an initial meeting illustrates what social psychologist call a primacy effect in the way people perceive one another.
The general principle is that initial information tends to carry more weight than information received later. First impressions establish the mental framework within which a person is viewed, and information acquired later is often ignored or reinterpreted to coincide with this framework.
The First Few Seconds
When two people meet, their potential for building a relationship can be affected by many factors. Within a few moments, one person or the other may feel threatened, offended or bored.
Assumptions versus Facts
The impressions you form of another person during the initial contact is made up both assumptions and facts. Most people tend rely more heavily on assumption during the initial meeting. If job applicants sit slumped in the chair, head bowed and shoulder slack, you might assume the person is not very interested in the position.
If the postal clerk fails to make eye contact during the transaction and does not express appreciation for your purchase, you may assume this person treats everyone with indifference.
Cultural Influence
Cultural influences often formed during the early years of our life, lead us to have impressions of some people even before we meet them. People often develop