I’ve been thinking about the variables that lead to making a strong impression with someone, whether that be an investor, a future friend, or date. What variables and/or environmental factors help you leave the impression you want to leave?
I find it interesting when I meet someone who I expected to really like, or conversely to dislike, but then experience the opposite of what I expected. I’m even more intrigued (and often frustrated!) when someone’s impression of me (my personality, pitch, topical position, etc) is not as strong as I’d expected. Not that I anticipate ‘wowing’ everyone I meet, but I do find myself analyzing situations where I fail to impress, particularly as I have become more self-aware in business and in life.
For the most part, I have found that these types of “blink impressions” correct themselves over time as two parties interact more; however, sometimes you don’t get the opportunity to make a second impression – or a third.
So What Are They?
The three key variables I see factoring into an impression are: Context, Timing and Perception.
I’m not going to attempt to define each of these, but to really ‘hit a home run’ with someone it seems you need all three variables aligned. For example, you have a killer presentation, look great, etc, but traffic makes you arrive late: perception and timing. You meet an awesome potential boyfriend or girlfreind only to find they just started dating someone – timing! You end up the one guy wearing a t-shirt while everyone else is in a blazer; perception (bad). You find yourself on an ambiguidate and then want to figure out how to follow-up with a real date…good luck; bad context.
I’m not sure if knowing these three variables (and I am sure there are more) are of any help in preparing to make an impression, especially since these variables can easily be outside your control. However, I do find them to be useful in post-evaluation of why something went exceedingly well…or not. Personally I find timing is more often than not my undoing.
