Such an Idiot!

Of course I used this harsh headline in order to attract your attention. Having said this I want to share an experience with you which goes into the direction of the headline.

It does happen; sometimes I meet people on my seminar who make an unfavourable first impression. It is also known that first impressions are very powerful and stick in our mind quite stubbornly.

On my seminar this is a bit different. As a seminar facilitator I am obviously very motivated to draw everybody in and make sure that all seminar participants thoroughly enjoy the learning experience. So, it is very unwise for me to hold on to my first impression. I need to go further. And here comes the surprise. I find very often that people who make a very bad first impression turn out to be wonderful personalities, smart people or both, once you make an effort to get to know them better.

Learning point for all of us. Some people may not come across a very likeable or impressive. Don’t rely of you first impression only. Go one step further engage them in a meaningful conversation. There is a good chance that the second impressions are much more respectable then the first and you will gain a nice colleague or friend