The First Few Seconds Are Mostly Face and Posture
Before you speak, arrive with a real smile, open hands and eye contact, because people judge warmth in a split second.
Fast face judgments are well replicated; how lasting they are in real business meetings is less clear.
Why it works
People form a sense of warmth and trust from a face before any words. A tense or blank face at the start makes the first line work harder.
How to do it
- Relax your jaw and let the smile reach your eyes before you reach them.
- Keep hands out of pockets and away from the phone.
- Hold eye contact for the greeting, then look away naturally.
- Put down the bag or plate so you can shake hands or do namaste.
What to say
Hello, I am Devendra. Good to meet you.
Namaste. Mind if I join you?
Avoid
Walking up while still reading your phone, then looking up mid-sentence.
Example
Before each stall visit at the Hyderabad poultry expo, Kiran pocketed his phone, breathed out, and smiled at the person first. Conversations started faster.
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