Myth: People Decide About You in 7 Seconds

What's actually true: First impressions form fast, but they are rough and change with what you say and do next.

MythWillis & Todorov, 2006 · Psychological Science, judgments from a 100 ms look at a face; Ambady & Rosenthal, 1993 · thin slices

Fast judgments are real and well studied, but there is no research behind the exact 7-second figure or the idea that the decision is final.

What the research found

People form quick gut impressions from faces in a fraction of a second. These guesses are often wrong and shift with new information. A strong first meeting can fix a weak first look.

What to do instead

  1. Prepare a clear first line and a warm greeting.
  2. Dress for the room so nothing distracts.
  3. Spend the effort on what you say after hello.
  4. Repair a weak start by being useful.

What to say

Thanks for seeing me. I'll be brief and useful.

Let me start with what I learnt about your market this week.

Avoid

Panicking that a nervous opening has ruined everything.

Example

Varun's train was late and he arrived flustered for a meeting in Lucknow. He apologised once, then gave a sharp market update. The client hired him.

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