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May 10, 2004


First impressions....faster!

So how long does it take to form the all powerful first impression of someone?

This first impression may be the filter through which you see your new boss or co-worker for some time to come.

Recent research completed by Harvard psychology professors Nalini Ambady, Ph.D., and Robert Rosenthal, Ph.D. confirmed our deepest suspicions - the time is reducing!

Destiny in a few seconds?

"Observers viewed three thin slices of each professor's behavior-10-second clips from the beginning, middle and end of a class-and then rated the professors' confidence, energy and warmth. They found that these ratings predicted with amazing accuracy the average student rating taken at semester's end. Thinner slices-three two-second clips-also yielded ratings similarly congruent with student evaluations."

A researcher from NYU claims the time is even faster
"We're finding that everything is evaluated as good or bad within a quarter of a second," says Bargh.

So 3...2...1... and beyond!

How do we guarantee positive first impressions?

Not easy, remember people are looking at you through their eyes/ their filters.

The only thing we can do is do the best we can from the heart always - be congruent and hope for the best!

Posted by Kevin Kelly at May 10, 2004 09:58 AM

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