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How to Make a First Impression That Sets You Up for Social Success
I still remember meeting my old headmaster like it was yesterday
“If you’re not going to try your hardest, stand up now. Seriously, stand up and leave.”
Those were the first words my secondary school headmaster Mr. Dick said to me and my fellow first years.
It almost felt like a command. Some people looked around, wondering, “should I get up?” Of course, no one did, but the authority he spoke with laid the foundation for how he expected us to behave.
In the following years, he maintained a certain gravitas. You didn’t want to get on his wrong side, but if you were a good student, he was pleasant.
That first impression was vital in setting the tone.
Confidence Should Ooze Out of a Handshake
Mr. Dick’s handshake was famous throughout the school. Whenever anyone shook his hand, they would always remark how firm it was. That was the man in charge — no doubt about it.
Physicality is often a prevalent factor in making an excellent first impression. A study done by researchers at the University of Texas found that when looking at photos of naturally expressive people (if they were smiling, for…
