What does your physical presence say about you?

I'm 6'8" tall, so before I had my leg amputated due to cancer, when I walked into a room, most people would at least glance in my direction.

Since my leg was amputated in 2020, I'm now in a wheelchair. It's interesting that when I wheel into a room missing a leg, people also glance in my direction.

Different circumstances, the same result.

How you present to people says a lot about your approachability, confidence, and overall demeanor. You don't have to say a word because people will judge you based on how you present yourself.

According to 2006 research by Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, people take a tenth of a second to form an impression about you. So, in the blink of an eye, people you meet for the first time have formed an impression of you.

As a police officer, the lowest level of the Use of Force continuum was 'officer presence."

We were taught how you showed up in uniform (were your boots shined, was your hair trimmed, and did you look like you were in shape or did you need a shave, your shirt had a coffee stain, and your uniform was disheveled) could determine whether a suspect would try you or comply with your orders.   

Here are some tips for presenting well when you meet people:  

1. Smile - People who smile are seen as more trustworthy.

2. Establish Eye Contact - Looking people in the eye shows confidence.

3. Communicate - Initiating conversation makes you seem smarter.

4. Mirroring - Subtly imitate the posture and gestures of others, and you will be more likable.

5. Look the Part - Wearing appropriate for the occasion and properly fitting clothes, combing your hair, and brushing your teeth will make people believe you pay attention to details.

While our brains are designed to make rapid judgments and studies suggest that non-verbal communication can account for 93% of how a message is conveyed, remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. 

Please leave me a comment about the importance of presence when trying to make an impression. Your opinions and insights are valuable and I enjoy hearing from you.