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SEVEN SECONDS… and then it’s make or break time
As much as we may refuse to admit it, humans are hard-wired to be a pretty judgemental lot. But before we get all defensive – it is a very necessary and important part of our social conditioning and mental evolution. It ensures that we are making the right decisions at the right time, by assessing both visual, spoken and unspoken cues about someone else. This can be either in a personal, social or business setting.
So, if you’re wondering about the time factor we’ve mentioned, research indicates that people form either a positive or a negative opinion of you in the first 7 seconds.
In this article, we’d like to share a few key insights with you, specifically in a business environment. Whether it’s you or your team interacting with a prospective client or are in the public eye doing what you do best, we have a few tried and trusted strategies to help you maximise your impact in those crucial, initial seven seconds. Ready…?
You’ve perfected the ‘web-to-web handshake’, you’re looking the person in the eyes and your Duchenne Marker (more about this, in a bit) is indicating a genuine smile, but… your shoes aren’t polished and your shirt’s all crinkled up. Are you still making a good impression after your initial 7 seconds are up? The short answer is probably a resounding, no!
So, if you’re wondering about the time factor we’ve mentioned, research indicates that people form either a positive or a negative opinion of you in the first 7 seconds.
In this article, we’d like to share a few key insights with you, specifically in a business environment. Whether it’s you or your team interacting with a prospective client or are in the public eye doing what you do best, we have a few tried and trusted strategies to help you maximise your impact in those crucial, initial seven seconds. Ready…?
You’ve perfected the ‘web-to-web handshake’, you’re looking the person in the eyes and your Duchenne Marker (more about this, in a bit) is indicating a genuine smile, but… your shoes aren’t polished and your shirt’s all crinkled up. Are you still making a good impression after your initial 7 seconds are up? The short answer is probably a resounding, no!
Avoiding the pitfalls of choice… by standardising.
A good few years ago, one of the richest men in the world, Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple wore a very standardised ‘uniform’ – a black long-sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans and white Nike takkies. A visit to Japan in the early 1980’s had left a strong impression on him, specifically, when it came to people wearing uniforms. He saw, first hand, how a company enhanced its unity and community with just this alone.
While Apple chose to not go this route, and standardise their corporate wear, Steve Jobs adopted this concept for himself. And the trademark Jobs ‘uniform’ became a global icon and a symbol for ‘different’ thinking.
By adopting a corporate uniform for your organisation, you eliminate inappropriate wardrobe choices, create the right professional image, and bolster your corporate culture through unity and community.
While Apple chose to not go this route, and standardise their corporate wear, Steve Jobs adopted this concept for himself. And the trademark Jobs ‘uniform’ became a global icon and a symbol for ‘different’ thinking.
By adopting a corporate uniform for your organisation, you eliminate inappropriate wardrobe choices, create the right professional image, and bolster your corporate culture through unity and community.
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Body language… and how to use it to your advantage
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So, you’re probably stuck on the Duchenne Marker and what it is. It’s just one of the unspoken cues that can tell you if a person is genuinely smiling… or faking interest in what you’re saying. And it’s all to do with facial expression, and the ‘smile reaching your eyes’. The Duchenne Marker is from a smile that causes the cheeks to extend upwards until the eyes narrow as a result. Of course, in most social situations, a person is unaware of this unconscious expression… and there are other unspoken cues that, together with the right corporate look, may give you the upper hand.
The anatomy of the perfect handshake
A handshake also speaks volumes, and the perfect handshake is one where the web separating the base of your thumb and index finger contacts the other person’s right-hand web firmly but gently. An equally firm grasp of the other person’s hand indicates confidence, while smiling and looking into the other person’s eyes indicates openness and transparency. Try it, it’s a sure-fire way to get your meeting off to a great, confident start.
Bringing it all together
At Ignition, we have a dedicated team of image consultants who can effectively help you select the right type of corporate wear, based on what your company’s image and philosophy centres around. We can help you select a baseline uniform, that can then be successfully interchanged with various other garments within a specific range, to ensure a measure of inter-changeability, to avoid the dreaded ‘wardrobe fatigue’ that most uniformed employees face. This adaptability is also great for the change in seasons, and weather, to ensure your staff are both comfortable and able to perform at their very best.
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Alternatively, for a ‘tailormade’ solution, you can give us a call to schedule an appointment with us, and we will be happy to advise you further. We look forward to helping you not only put your best foot forward, but to help you make the best possible first impression. After all, all we have is just seven seconds, and we can help you make each second count, in your favour.