Win your challenges with our unique solutions

This post has already been read 886 times!

Are you concerned you might not be making a good first impression when it matters or demonstrating Executive Presence?

If yes, then I’ve got 3 rules for you which will make positive impact.

Watch the video below or read on and take action today.

There’s a lot more that goes into Executive Presence than simply showing up and wowing everybody in the corporate workplace. In fact, it starts much earlier.

In a previous video, I showed you how to use your posture to position yourself for success.

And as we continue on this series of Executive Presence Tips, today we’re going to look at a situation where you have to wow a person on a one-to-one basis or a one-to-many basis and not just, you know, have an aura full of Executive Presence.

Click here for Karmic Ally Coaching’s Executive Presence Special Offer

You can continue reading the transcript below

Hi, my name is Vatsala Shukla and I’m the Chief Encouragement Officer at Karmic Ally Coaching. And today I’m going to be looking at how you can create a great first impression.

But first, I have a question for you.

Do you feel like this when thinking of making the right first impression?

If you answered yes, then I’m not surprised. Most of us are scared that we may make the wrong first impression.

Now this goes back to our lizard brain and prehistoric times when survival required we be in a group and we wanted the other person to like us.

So if you get nervous about whether you will make a right first impression at an important meeting or in a job interview don’t worry. Welcome to the club. All of us have that feeling from time to time.

But the good news is that while making a great first impression isn’t always easy, it’s well worth a try.

And in this training, I’m going to be sharing with you 3 simple rules that you should always follow.

Whether it’s in the corporate world, whether it’s in your personal life, these 3 simple rules will make sure that you will always create a good first impression.

Rule #1 Dress To Impress

So my first rule is to always dress to impress. In other words, pay attention to what you’re wearing. Because, the first thing a person will notice about you is how you are appearing and your clothes.

Now if you’re going in for an important meeting make sure you know that you’re dressed appropriately for the meeting. The hair must be in place, the shoes must be correct, the dress should suit the occasion.

If it’s a very important first meeting you may want to overdress just a little but whatever you do, just make sure it’s neat and flattering.

As you can see in this image, this lady is all dressed to impress. Everything about her is coordinated.

The only thing I would say for her is that if she was smiling a little instead of looking so ambivalent, perhaps she’d make an even better first impression.

So the bonus tip is – have a gentle smile. And of course you can always let your personality shine after you’ve made that great first impression

Rule #2 Be On Time

The second rule which is a very important one is to be on time. In other words, be punctual because that makes you look prepared and reliable.

And in fact a lot of people get very irritated when others are late for meetings.

I remember when I was working in the corporate world you could actually tell the interviewer or senior at a meeting was irritated or not depending on whether on how you sauntered in late for the meeting or whether you were actually seen ready to go in to the meeting and in today’s day and age, that also works for your online conference meeting.

So be prepared, make sure you get there on time or even a little early because even if the other person is casual and relaxed about timing,  it will still make you look good and it will still give a very good first impression that yes, this person is serious.

Rule #3 Think Before You Speak

And then the third rule which I’m sure you have heard even as a child is to always think before you speak.

You know, you may be nervous or may be wanting to create a great impression but if you’re going to start prattling away about everything and anything, it’s not going to make a very good impression.

In fact the other person might just wonder, hey, who is this person? And also, if you don’t think before you talk, it’s very easy to put your foot in your mouth. And it’s not a good feeling and definitely it ruins that first impression.

And this is important even when you’re having discussions with your boss or in a meeting where you are supposed to be making a contribution or adding value to the team, always think first, and then formulate your thoughts and put it across.

This holds when you’re in a job interview or in an interview for a senior position because it shows that you are reflecting and then giving a solid answer.

Now if you want more quick win actions, then you’d like to have a look at this particular ebook of mine where we’re actually going to assess your strengths against the 3 Pillars of Executive Presence.

I’ll be showing you 2 ways to showcase your Gravitas or WOW Factor and also again, how to use your body to convey confidence and subtly hint your IT Factor. A link to this ebook is given below this video.

Click here for Karmic Ally Coaching’s Executive Presence Workbook.

Recap of Great First Impression Rules

So just to recap, the first rule is you’re going to dress to impress. The second rule is you’re going to be on time and the third rule is that you’re going to think before you speak.

Now there are many other rules but if you can master these three, you’re going to be much ahead of the competition.

And in fact, I’ve got a little homework for you.

Use these three rules the next time you meet a new person and then let me know, did the other person get a great first impression of you? In fact if you feel that something went wrong, then you might want to ponder, where did I get it wrong?

So enjoy applying these three rules and all the best in showing that you’ve got Executive Presence the next time you meet someone in a corporate setting and for the first time and you need to make that great first impression.

Resource mentioned in training video