If we could read people’s minds, we would always know what kind of first impression we were making. Since most of us can’t read minds, I would like to tell you one quality that I look for in a person right away…THOUGHTFULNESS.
Many years ago, there was a quiz show called, “To Tell the Truth”. They would present three people who all claimed to be the same person. It was usually a famous person whose face we had not seen – like Dr. Seuss.
The TV show would begin with each person introducing themselves by saying, “My name is _______”. Of course, they all said the same name. A celebrity panel would ask questions designed to ascertain who the real (Dr. Seuss) was. After the questions, the game host would conclude by stating: “Will the real _______stand up”.
I enjoyed the show and became quite good at it. In most cases, I beat the fancy panel. What was my secret? Look for thoughtfulness. The fake candidates would be quick to respond thinking they would reflect more confidence and credibility. The real candidate would often pause before answering, since they were obligated to tell the truth.
What I learned watching that show applies so much to today. We don’t always have to respond quickly. Some questions require more thought than a simple reaction, and taking our time does not necessarily reflect a lack of confidence. We can make a better impression, and that gives us better listeners by not responding so quickly,
