Learn how to make a knockout first impression using Princeton University research. Discover how snap judgments on trustworthiness and competence form in 100ms.
The brain doesn't even care if you’re competent until it decides if it can trust you. If you lead with your credentials without establishing warmth first, you actually come across as threatening.
How to make a knockout first impression
According to research out of Princeton University, people form first impressions in as little as 100 milliseconds, which is faster than a blink. This snap judgment occurs before you even have a chance to speak. Interestingly, giving people more time—up to a full second—does not change their initial opinion; it simply makes them more confident that their 100-millisecond verdict on your character was correct.
When you first meet someone, their brain quickly evaluates specific traits like trustworthiness, competence, and likability. The science of snap judgments suggests that these initial impressions are incredibly 'sticky' and act as a filter for all future interactions. Because the brain is obsessed with trust before it even considers intelligence, establishing a positive vibe immediately is essential for social competence and professional success.
Changing a bad first impression is difficult because that initial 100-millisecond window is so influential. If you start off on the wrong foot, you are essentially climbing a mountain in flip-flops trying to fix it. To avoid this, you can use science-backed techniques involving body language and vocal cues to hack the window of snap judgments. Balancing being a boss with being likable helps ensure your first impression is a knockout.
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