Is It Too Late to Change a Bad First Impression?

We prefer to think that people take the time to get to know us and appreciate our personalities or conversational abilities. But in an interview or a networking situation, most people judge us in the first few minutes.

First impressions are can make or break deals. They create a filter that people use to judge all of our actions. So when you've made a bad first impression, especially in the workplace or at a job interview, it can quickly become a severe problem.

While we should always do our best to make sure our first impression is a stellar one, there are things you can do if something has gone wrong. Here are six tips on how to overcome a bad first impression once made:

 

Vulnerability

First, sometimes you need to help people find a way to interpret your behaviour more positively. If people see your actions were well-intentioned, then they will be much more likely to see even a lousy interaction as a positive.

For example, if someone knows you cut them off in a conversation because you got an urgent phone call your loved one was in an accident, it is very likely they will see the interaction in a different light when thinking about it later. If they find out you were down because your pet just passed away, then their empathy will kick in, and they will excuse the interactions they had with you. So try to be vulnerable and allow people to understand you better if things went wrong.

 

Rebuild

While you may not be able to delete the memory, you can make new ones. If you got off on the wrong foot with someone, all is not lost. If you consistently make new and better impressions on them over time, they will likely begin to reform that initial impression they had of you and come to see you in a much more positive way. Soon, they may even completely forget that initial interaction they had with you because they have had so many positive ones in the meantime.

The first impression is important, but never final.

Repeat

Repetition is key. Small yet repeated interactions build trust the fastest. Overcoming a bad impression requires that all your future behaviour has to be consistent with how you want to be perceived. If you want to win someone over after a bad start, you must be persistent, consistent, and patient.

 

Be honest

Sorry goes a long way. Most people appreciate it if you realise you've done something wrong, own your mistakes, learned from them, and move on. Honesty can change someone's perspective and perception.

 

Attention

Get to know people better. The better YOU know others, the easier it is to show them that you care. For instance, if your colleague has two kids, find out their names and ask how they are doing.

It is not about being in their personal matters as much as it is about showing the other person genuine interest. You can then recall these details during later conversations to show that you remember them. Finally, establish a connection with them so they can start to see you in a new way. The essential part of communication is listening. Be a good listener, and you will find mutual respect.

 

We're all humans at the end of the day. Our first impressions won't go smoothly all the time. But, we can always try our best and realise that an initial impression is just that: a beginning.

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