Carol Adamski
  • Home
  • Coaching
    • Life Coaching
    • Professional Coaching
    • Ace The Interview. Get The Offer
    • Coaching for Effective Presentations
    • Living in Gratitude
    • Women's Study
  • About
  • Client Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact/Links
  • Political Candidate Consultant

First Impressions Based on Trust

1/20/2018

0 Comments

 
​As humans, we innately form immediate impressions about those we meet.
 
For over 15 years, social psychologist and Harvard Business professor, Amy Cuddy, and her colleagues, Susan Fiske and Peter Glick, have been examining first impressions, arriving at a very interesting conclusion.
 
And no, physical appearance isn’t the primary factor.
 
Cuddy has authored a book, Presence, that details many of the study’s findings. The book states that when we meet someone for the first time, we unconsciously ask ourselves two vital questions:
 
First: Can I trust this person?
 
Second: Can I respect this person?
 
In a nutshell, this initial judgment is one of whether we feel good or bad about this person. Warmth and competence are the two critical variables, accounting for approximately 80 percent of our overall evaluations of people. 
 
According to Cuddy, though the majority of people would prefer to be perceived as capable, especially when it comes to interviewing for a job opening, trustworthiness and warmth play a bigger part in first impressions.
 
States Cuddy, “From an evolutionary perspective, it is more crucial to our survival to know whether a person deserves our trust.”
Picture
Only after we have established the person we are meeting is dependable and worthy of our trust do we then determine if they are capable and deserving of our respect.
 
Because of this linear first impression pattern, Cuddy claims that focusing too heavily on our strengths right out of the gate can result in an adverse first impression.
 
It is crucial to express friendliness, authenticity and warmth before we launch into our skills, experience, education and knowledge. Doing so makes us approachable. It allows us to make a genuine connection with the other person based on trust, opening the door to the second question, “Can I respect this person?”
Picture
Image credit: Harvard Magazine
“If someone you’re trying to influence doesn’t trust you, you’re not going to get very far; in fact, you might even elicit suspicion because you come across as manipulative. A warm, trustworthy person who is also strong elicits admiration, but only after you’ve established trust does your strength become a gift rather than a threat,” explains Professor Cuddy.

Your body language also plays a role. 

“In all animal species, postures that are expansive, open, and take up more space are associated with high power and dominance,” she says. “Postures that are contractive--limbs touching torso, protecting the vital organs, taking up minimal space--are associated with low power, being at the bottom of the hierarchy. Any animal you can think of, when it’s prey, makes itself as small as possible.”

Cuddy and her colleagues advise their women M.B.A. students to stop crossing their legs and minimizing their physical presence--and instead to raise their adjustable classroom chairs as high as possible while keeping feet on the floor, to “be as big as you are.” Some former students have told her that they’ve used this advice to good effect in job interviews.
 
Understanding this first impression process can give you an edge any time you are meeting a new person. It can also help you understand your first impressions of others.
​

When it comes to making a good first impression, yes appearance is important but even more crucial is being open (including with body language), friendly and warm. Make an authentic personal connection. Let others know you can be trusted.  Then you can begin to focus on your strengths.

​
Article excerpts from  Harvard Magazine & Peace Quarters.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Carol Adamski

    Carol Adamski, M.A., has led various workshops—nationally and internationally—on leadership, personal empowerment, communications, and relationships. For 15 years as a coach, she has demonstrated strength and compassion, with the ability to listen deeply and ask just the right questions.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Career Advice
    Coaching
    Life Tips
    Research Studies
    Time Management

    RSS Feed

Subscribe: Receive a FREE guide ~ 
5 Key Communication Mistakes & How To Correct Them
as well as newsletters with event updates, inspiring and practical information.
We respect your privacy and will not share your information. 


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.

BACK TO TOP

Contact Carol Adamski - 408 761-4446

Plain&Simple Web Design
Google analytics