We’ve all heard about the importance of first impressions, but as leaders, how much thought do you actually give to those critical first seven seconds when you meet someone new?
Research shows that people form a lasting impression within moments of meeting you. It’s not just about your appearance, a firm handshake, and direct eye contact—it’s about presence, energy, and how you non-verbally convey your intentions. If you feel you don’t “own the room” or the interaction from the get-go, or if you’ve received feedback that you come across as reserved or unapproachable, this post is for you.
The Power of the First Seven Seconds
Why seven seconds? Research has shown that it only takes seven seconds for us to decide if another person is trustworthy, competent, and worthy of our attention. If you are perceived as being reserved or even worse, arrogant, which is sometimes the assumption when someone is quiet, the impression you make might not characterize who you really are.
Imagine those first seconds as a snapshot. What do you want people to see? A confident, approachable leader—or a hesitant, guarded person? In my coaching, I guide clients to project how they want to be seen from the first seconds of an interaction.
How to Make a Positive First Impression
Presence Over Perfection
Leaders who focus too much on perfection often come across as inauthentic. People want to connect with a real person, not a robotic “perfect” leader. This is why I encourage clients to let go of being overly prepared in favor of being present in the moment. You can see this shift in real time—it’s the difference between stiffly “performing” and simply connecting.
Monitoring Your Body Language
Your body language speaks volumes before you ever open your mouth. Slumped shoulders, averted gaze, crossed arms, hands in pockets, all signal that you are not confident and open to interaction. Consciously practice open, grounded body posture you can put into action in those first 7 seconds. Stand tall, maintain eye contact, and start every interaction with your weight balanced evenly on both legs. We work on curating these nonverbal behaviors in my coaching sessions, so they become second nature
Being Intentional about How You Use Your Voice
Voice isn’t just about volume and pitch; it’s about intonation, pacing, and using pauses intentionally. Speaking too quickly or sounding falsely enthusiastic can indicate that you are anxious, while speaking at a steady pace conveys confidence and being in control. Many of my clients find that becoming aware of their range of intonation and learning to vary the volume and speed with which they speak is instrumental to influencing how they’re perceived.
Transformation: From Conveying Self-Doubt to Projecting Confidence
Imagine this: Instead of worrying about how others might perceive you when they first meet you, you feel confident that you are projecting the image you want and need in those first seven seconds. Your body language is communicating confidence, your voice is working for you and you feel an overall sense of presence. People respond to you positively and are eager to hear what you have to say. This is the transformation my clients experience—they go from self-doubt and nervousness to projecting confidence and credibility.
Conclusion
Seven seconds is not a lot of time, but in the case of first impressions, you need to make the most of them. Mastering the art of making positive first impressions means taking control of your body language, and voice while at the same time relaxing into who you are. Coaching can help you learn what behaviors you need to enact so every first impression lands and you feel confident that you are a leader who commands respect right from the start. It’s about embodying the leader you know you are and making sure others perceive it, too.
Barbara is a transformative communication coach who empowers introverted leaders to become authentic, impactful speakers. Through her unique approach she combines anxiety-reduction techniques, like Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with strategic communication skills training to help her clients move from feeling unseen to confidently representing themselves and their organizations.
In a safe, supportive environment, clients gradually build confidence while mastering the essentials of clear, persuasive communication. Drawing from 20+ years of experience working internationally with professionals from over 35 countries, Barbara has an extraordinary ability to identify why a message is not connecting. Whether it’s due to unclear language, structural issues, or delivery flaws, she helps her clients reshape how they communicate so their messages resonate.
Barbara’s expert coaching allows introverted leaders to build their confidence and channel their natural strengths into clear, authentic expression, which elevates their leadership presence and allows them to achieve their business objectives.
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