Thin Slicing & First Impressions

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

In his book Blink, Malcolm Gladwell used the term “thin-slicing” for making snap judgements based on limited information.

Translation: we make quick judgements of people when we first meet them.

In the video below, Vanessa Van Edwards makes the case for creating a great first impression.

The reason why this topic is important is because you can be intentional about it.

You can’t fully control the first impression of others, but you can definitely influence it.

Details such as how you dress, making eye contact, your non-verbal communication, etc. play a role.

But for today, let’s focus on a Risely article entitled 5 Ways New Managers Can Create The Best Impression On Their Teams.

Since this list is not mine, I’m going to expand while giving my thoughts on these points to give you some practical tips to follow.

1. Listen Well - the connection you forge with your people shapes your reputation. This begins in 1:1 meetings and will be the foundation of your relationship moving forward.

2. Give Autonomy - if you want to be trusted, freely give it first. People hate being told how to do their work. Focus on the results/outcome and if they’re getting the work done don’t micromanage their style.

3. Reward Performance - we’re talking objectives based on merit alone. If someone is achieving well, let them know. If they’re not, teach them how to improve. Recognizing high achievers for their best work is motivating for all to see.

4. Ask Questions - don’t assume. If you don’t know something, ask. Questions enhance communication. It also shows you’re willing to learn.

5. Be Available - maybe the most underrated trait on the list. When you’re available for your team, they work harder. Your job as a manager is to support your people. When your people are prioritized, loyalty is created.

In closing, reflect on how you want to be remembered as a leader.

I know that’s a big thought, but if you start at the end and reverse engineer the process it makes you more intentional about the “brand” you want to known for.

First impressions (whether fair or not) impact how people view you as a leader immediately.

Knowing, then applying this information, can give you a huge advantage from the start.

Transitioning as a new manager is a hard enough, so why not begin with a favorable first impression on day 1?

Be more intentional about leaving positive first impressions.

If you need additional help check out the video below and reply to this email.

Leadership is just one of the subjects I cover as a speaker. Here are other talks for your upcoming event.

God Bless,

Scott