Impression Management

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Impression Management

Impression management is the art of orchestrating your personal performance so that you leave a positive impression in the minds of others.

Each time you meet with people, you leave an impression in the minds of the others - either a positive or negative one.

The impression you leave is not "YOU", but it is completely dependent on what you say and how you act.

• If you are careful about what you say and do, then you will likely make a positive impression in the mind of your listener.
• If you are careless you might leave a bad impression.

First impressions

First impressions do count. First impressions set the scene for the relationship.

Once a person has made up his/her mind about someone, then he tends to engage in a process of selective perception; meaning he will tend to gather supporting evidence to justify the original impression.

For instance, if upon meeting someone, you form a BAD first impression, based on something BAD that the person said or did, then you'll tend to notice additional BAD things that the other does. You'll tend to notice any more supporting evidence to justify your original impression.

On the other hand, if you originally form a GOOD first impression of someone, then you'll tend to see the additional good things the other does; and you may even excuse any bad things he may do.

People do "judge books by their covers"

They have to - It is all they know about you, since nobody can mind read.

• People will judge you on everything you say and everything you do.
• People will judge you on everything you FAIL to say and everything you FAIL to do.

For instance, people do make emotional judgements of others, based upon what they see and hear. They have to form a judgement, and they do.

• If you smile, and say "good morning", then that says one thing about you.
• If you don't smile, and if you fail to say "good morning", then that says another thing.

Assessment

Now we have six questions for you to assess yourself in terms of your impression management:

Please mark yourself out of ten, for each of the following questions. If you are perfect, then at the end of these six questions you would score sixty points, and if you score less than 60, then you are less than perfect. (If you score yourself more than sixty, something has gone wrong!)

1. To what degree do you believe that you leave a positive impression in the mind of your fellow human beings? Do you strive consciously to leave a good impression, (Score higher) or do you tend to think "I don't care what other people think of me. I am what I am. You can take it or leave it". (Score lower).
2. To what degree do you think you make a good FIRST impression? Do people warm to you straight away, or do you think it takes time to get to know you?
3. How would you rate your communication skills in relation to giving or explaining information? Are you always able to make your meaning clear, or do you sometimes have problems in any aspect of your communication.
4. To what degree are you seen by others as optimistic, friendly and happy? Or are you more accurately described as being pessimistic, solitary, and grim?
5. How would you rate your abilities to handle conflict? Do you handle disagreements and conflict in a positive manner, or do conflict situations soon degenerate into a negative emotional clash?
6. To what degree would you see your role as having an element of salesmanship? Do you regard yourself in anyway as being a kind of salesperson? (Score higher). Or has that thought never occurred to you? (score lower).

Alternatively, why not try our online questionnaire Do you make a good first impression?

Ponder deeply the answers to these questions:

• How do you want to come across to others?
• What impression do you want others to have of you?
• What qualities do you want to be known for?

Make this sentence your mantra for the day. 'I will decide how I want to be perceived by others, and act accordingly, even on the days that I don't feel like it.'

Personal Development Training

Personal Development Training

In order to improve your performance, you may need to develop your personal and professional skills: meaning: skills of communication, planning, prioritisation, motivation and personal confidence. If you want to learn more, then click here for personal development training.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Communication - Persuasive Communication

• Four Magic Phrases to Use Every Day
  Speech habits are those things that you say often and almost without thinking about. Some speech habits add to your credibility and air of professionalism. Try these four terrific speech habits to weave into your daily pattern.
  Read Article >
• The Rhetorical Triangle
  Persuasive communication is a useful skill, and the rhetorical triangle method will help you express yourself and get your message across to your audience.
  Read Article >
• Ten Ways to Persuade Someone
  To be effective, we often need other people's co-operation. Sometimes you need to persuade someone that your idea is worth their time and effort. Here are ten persuasive tacts for you to try when persuasion is needed.
  Read Article >
• Customer Service Training
  The purpose of customer service training is to draw attention to how our agents speak, work, act and react in ways that will at least avoid a negative reaction, and preferably, create positive emotions in the minds of our customers.
  Read Article >
• Effective communication skills
  Skills on effective communication 1. Communication is defined as "the transfer of information and emotion from one mind to another". 2. To a degree, your success depends upon being able to accurately communicate your ideas to the minds of other people. 3. If you cannot accurately communicate and explain your ideas...
  Read Article >

Looking for Communication Skills Training?

If you're looking to develop your Persuasive Communication Skills, you may find this Communication Skills Training Course beneficial:

Open Training Course Pricing and Availability

Next Open Course Starts in 22 days, Preston, places available Book Now >