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Making a great impression might be tricky and difficult but it is not impossible.
With a little effort and the right techniques, we can make a great first impression by highlighting and following the tips from the book "How to Talk to Anyone" by Leil Lowndes.
"You only have ten seconds to show that you are somebody".
So you walk into the room with jarring nerves and suggestive voices telling you negative things do you put your face down to use your phone as a distraction and play with your button to ease you off tension?
Or you face your fears and appear in your best self.
You may observe that the people you talk to are judging you, especially those you just met for the first time, research shows that it only takes a tenth of a second for people to start evaluating you based on your appearance and mannerisms however that doesn't make their judgment fair or even accurate.
The purpose of this article is not to make you appear less-than-a-stellar at first impression but to help you achieve a confident, likable, and trustworthy personality.
1. Flooding smile
"You will stand out as a Somebody in whatever crowd you find yourself in, even if it’s not your crowd.
Let's start with your smile".
According to Leil Lowndes, a quick smile is not always the key and a good way of making first impressions, Keil argues that a flooding slow smile is a more effective technique for appearing confident and likable rather than a quick forced smile which appears to be an "old-fashioned grin", this type of grin has lost its essence in today's world not many leaders, negotiators and corporate faints smile too quick at first sight.
In her book, she warned "Don’t flash an immediate smile when you greet someone, as though anyone who walked into your line of sight would be the beneficiary.
Instead, look at the other person’s face for a second. Pause. Soak in their persona.
Then let a big, warm, responsive smile flood over your face and overflow into your eyes. It will engulf the recipient like a warm wave.
The split-second delay convinces people your flooding smile is genuine and only for them." It was fascinating how a simple smile could have such a strong impact on one's interactions with other individuals, this would make many understand the importance of non-verbal facial expressions in today's world where our reliance on technology has diminished our awareness of these cues.
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2. Sticky Eyes
Making eye contact may seem like a challenge for many yet it is needful among "big winners", and if you are reading this you are part of the league.
Leil Lowndes believes that those who are successful today have mastered the art of eye contact.
"Big Winners know exaggerated eye contact can be extremely advantageous, especially between the sexes.
In business, even when romance is not in the picture, strong eye contact packs a powerful wallop between men and women."
The book expounds on how to make reasonable eye contact between both sexes and the opposite sex, the sticky eye is a sure technique that works every time it leaves a lasting impression on anyone you are speaking with either a male or female.
However, it is important to note that different people may perceive eye contact differently based on their cultural background it is therefore advisable to bend the rules if you find yourself in a different context.
To make the most of a "sticky eye" technique, it is vital to be aware of your body language and facial expression, that is, your body language must agree with your eyes by all means, do this by starting feeling into your conversation partner eyes while your body language resonates and savor the moment, make sure you are not in a rush to cut your gaze do it slowly and reluctantly.
Leil Lowndes put it this way in her book;
"Pretend your eyes are glued to your Conversation Partners with sticky warm coffee.
Don’t break eye contact even after he or she has finished speaking.
When you must look away, do it ever so slowly, reluctantly, stretching the gooey toffee until the tiny string finally breaks."
3. Your posture is your biggest success barometer
The rise in smartphones has led to more people slouching and hunching over their devices which may stand as a negative impact on our body language.
Practicing good body posture is one way to create a positive impression cut off your slouching habit and walk through the doorway.
To walk with good posture, imagine a string attached to the top of your head, pulling you up toward the sky. Your head, shoulders, and back should be in a straight line, with your head held high. Keep your chin level and your eyes focused ahead.
As you walk, your arms should swing naturally by your sides. And most importantly, breathe deeply and relax so your muscles don't look stiffen.
4. The Big-Baby Pivot
Give everyone you meet the Big-Baby Pivot.
The instant the two of you are introduced, reward your new acquaintance. Give the warm smile, the total body turn, and the undivided attention you would give a tiny tyke who crawled up to your feet, turned a precious face up to yours and beamed a big toothless grin.
Pivoting 100 percent toward New Person shouts ‘I think you are very, very special.’
Give people full attention when you meet them, don't focus on too many things in the first few seconds, and let them assume that they are charming enough to captivate your attention this not only helps to ease tension that may surround the situation but also boost your confidence help you feel like you are in control, make you appear more caring and interested in other people, it is a win-win technique, you get to enjoy the process as you practice it daily with close friends, family then acquaintances.
The secret of making people like you "A very wise man with the funny name of Zig once told me, ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care … about them.’
Zig Ziglar is right. The secret to making people like you is showing how much you like them!".
This is an interesting quote from Zig Ziglar!
People are indeed more likely to respond positively to you if they feel like you care about them and their needs.
When you show a genuine interest in other people, it makes the people that you interact with feel special, valued, and important. When you meet people you stretch out your hand to shake theirs and smile warmly yet your brain is acting quite contrary to what your body is saying most times it becomes your dominating factor "Our brains become lean.
Some of us are fighting off shyness. Others are frantic." This may steal its way out and would betray your body movements.
So what do you do according to Leil she advised that you play a mental trick on yourself, in other words, you try to imagine the other person as an old friend whom you have not seen for a long time and that you have been apart for a long time until now, act excited, friendly and enthusiastic around them you can create much more positive and comfortable environment this thrilling atmosphere travels into your subconsciousness helps you a long align your body language with your emotion.
Limit the fidgeting Whenever you need to speak honestly and clearly wherever you are, focus on keeping your body relaxed avoid touching your face, picking dirt in your nose, or scratching any part of your body above all avoid any movements that are signs of anxiousness and fidgeting.
It might pass the wrong message about you.
"Whenever your conversation counts, let your nose itch, your ear tingle, or your foot prickle.
Do not fidget, twitch, wiggle, squirm, or scratch. And above all, keep your paws away from your face.
Hand motions near your face and all fidgeting can give your listener the gut feeling you’re fibbing."
Use these key points to improve your communication skills and connect with others wherever you find yourself.
Frequently ask questions
How do you describe yourself?
Be open-minded and talk about your interests, hobbies, passions, and personal traits.
How do I initiate a conversation with people I know?
Ask open-ended questions it allows the other person to answer in their own words for example "Tell me what you love doing at the weekend?"
They would see that you are interested in their thoughts and ideas.
How to talk with strangers? Avoid close-ended conversations, for example, "Are you an author?" Who you are speaking with just say "Yes or No ".
Instead, you could say "In your opinion what does it take to be considered as an author?"
Wrapping Up on How to Talk to Anyone, The Secret to Better Communication
Having a full understanding of How to talk to Anyone will help you know achieve your goals and aspirations, thereby building a worthwhile relationship with people.
In conclusion, mastering the art of communication is the key to forging meaningful connections in both personal and professional spheres.
By incorporating the invaluable insights shared in this guide, you can unleash the power of effective communication and effortlessly engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, paving the way for richer interactions and fulfilling relationships.