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You are new and you want to be light or at least that is the premise I will use for this answer. I will assume from first impression you mean first meeting. Let us look at some of the basics and then I will move in to specifics relative to you and what I call your preferences.
Good hygiene, you do not smell and you do not smell too good. You are clean, you do not have dirt under your nails and everything about you has been trimmed, combed and tucked.
Next all metal and ink is under wraps. Your breath is fresh and your teeth are brushed. You cloths are consistent with the look of the people who work at your level in the organization but nicer. Your hand shake if firm and you look at the other person in the eyes when you shake their hand, never forgetting to smile. You thank them for the invitation, ask if you might sit, present them with a resume if appropriate and ask how long you will be there in the meeting so they can use their time wisely.
If possible, find the point of commonality. Something social to talk about to break the ice; look around the office, if there are any clues to act as a trigger for a social moment. They will be the first to stop the social part of the discussion and when they move on that is your clue to move on as well.
Beyond the basics, all that I have said will get you in the door and see it without creating any negative vibes. Now you need to go to the next level. To better understand what I am saying, think of people you really hit it off with, people who think like you think.
We are going to turn you into one of those people everyone like simply by being adaptive. The first step is to have a frame of reference. I will describe a basic four quadrant into personal grid. Everyone falls into one of these quadrants or boxes in a very broad way. You have to figure out first what is your primary box and then what is the other person’s primary box? If there is a match great, if not you need to shift your style to fit their box at least until they get to know you.
To create a four box grid you need a horizontal line and vertical line. The horizontal line goes from task to relationship. People are either more task focused or more people focused, you have to decide which is more appropriate to you. The vertical line goes from offensive to defensive. Offensive are people that act quickly and decisively, defensive are people that act more slowly and cautiously. What fits better for you?
Once you have made both choices you now have the basics of preferences and like I mentioned, find the box that fits and the one that fits the other and that will give you a guide to adapting to meeting their needs. Here are the four types:
• Task offensive, we will call that a player.
• Task defensive, we will call that an analyst.
• People offensive, we will call that an actor.
• People defensive, we will call that a pal.
The player wants concise answers about the work and the results expected. The analyst wants details and time to think about where you fit in doing the work. The actor wants an audience, someone to listen as they talk about how they have done the work. The pal wants to know about you and how you came to them and then wants to share with you who does the work.
Learn the basics with meeting these people initial needs and you will make a most excellent first impression. For more details on each of this types and what am I be like to be working for them please watch the four videos about the Aggressive Chatty Detailed or Concerned Co-Workers. Best of luck.
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