January 2009 :: The Fallacy of the First Impression
There is an old Chinese proverb that says:
“Don’t be over self-confident with your first impressions of people.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Since we were all knee high to a grasshopper, our parents, teachers, and other influencers of our lives have extolled the importance of first impressions. We heard that first impressions are lasting impressions and that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
It is reasonable to think that we will not consider hiring a candidate who shows up at our office one hour late, wearing flip flops and chewing bubble gum – complete with blowing bubbles!
However, while much of this first impression lore might be true, a great portion of it is pure fallacy.
One case in point is politics.
Today’s Wall Street Journal headline reads: ‘Governor Is Arrested on Graft Charges’.
Do you suppose Rod Blagojevich made a good first impression? Did he impress enough folks in the great state of Illinois to get elected not once, but twice? Yes he did. He had the electorate convinced that he was an honorable reformer who would change Illinois politics.
More evidence of this notion of fallacy exists in the following statement: “That’s not what I thought when I first met you” or “I was really wrong about you.”
Unfortunately, we have all made these statements both positively and negatively.
This happens all the time. People think we are outgoing when we are reserved or full of ourselves when we are simply shy. We ‘look’ like a certain religion; we appear to be a certain nationality.
One personal favorite fallacy of mine is the interview first impression. The guy or gal that shows up dressed immaculately, answers questions the way you want them answered, and ‘looks the part’ for the opening you have.
Only later do you find out that this person from Central Casting that you interviewed never showed up for the real job!
First impressions are potentially misleading and perilous.
What really matters are the enduring qualities that represent Memorability.
Long after the first impression has faded, after the halo has slipped down to choke the victim, there will be the legacy of their MQ, their Memorability Quotient.
As 2008 comes to a close and as we take stock (o.k. bad choice of words) in those things that matter to us, here is a reminder of the ten highest profile MQ Clues.
These are the actions, behaviors and operating principles that form the bedrock of sustainable memorability:
Creativity, Enthusiasm, Humility, Urgency, Attitude, Communication, Passion, Rectitude, Candor, Word of Honor
Over the past ten months, I have spoken to thousands of conference and meeting attendees about these principles. I have written these monthly communications and blogged about the importance of these attributes.
Each and every time someone in the listening (reading) audience validates one or more of the concepts.
They mention the importance of each attribute and the inherent difficulty in achieving consistency across all.
What I mention in return is simply this: your awareness of these MQ Clues, your desire to look for improvement in some or most, your interest in the self-examination that is required to amend behavior already places you ahead of the game.
While so many folks get spit-shined only for the first impression – you are creating the lasting impression; building the MQ – Memorability Quotient that places you in the top 2% of your peer group.
It is this quality, the ability to stand out, to rise above the sea of sameness, which will propel you in 2009 and beyond.
May the Holiday Season bring joy for us all.
