On this past Friday, Dr. Phil had a show entitled “Snap Judgements”. The basic premise of the show was that people make [snap] judgements about others based on what they see. We all do it!

The show went on to discuss the challenges that people face based on the judgements that are made about them. There was the mother who is concerned about the wardrobe choices of her 16-year-old - she doesn’t want boys to look at her and think that she is “that way”. Then there were the blond twins who are nanny’s, and they discussed how they have been turned down for jobs because the wives did not want them to be around their husbands.

My favorite, however, was the exercise that was done at the beginning of the show where audience members were lined up on stage, and two volunteers had to match the names to the ladies. The two that stick out the most for me were the names Marilyn and Deja. There was one African-American woman on the stage, along with about 6 others. During the name match, the African-American woman was given the name Deja, and an older looking white woman was given the name Marilyn. When the true names were revealed, Marilyn was the name of the African-American woman, and a younger white female in the line up was Deja. This was just one example of how we judge other’s by the “filters” that we have set up in our own minds.

During my sessions on image I tell groups that, within the first 11 seconds of meeting someone, we make at least 22 assumptions about them. Isn’t that remarkable? We do it subconsciously. It is so much a part of us that we don’t even realize that we are doing it. That is why first impressions are so important. As the saying goes “you never get a second change to make a first impression”, which is why your personal image and brand are tantamount to your success. The questions I often ask my clients include:

What kind of first impression do you want to make?

What is your personal “brand”?

How does your current image or look reflect your brand?

It is just as important to focus on image, interpersonal skills, and personal branding as it is to focus on technical and professional development. It is a known fact that people are attracted to what they see FIRST.  Image is just as important as technical skill and education when it comes to career success. Studies have shown that looking good breeds confidence as well.

So I ask you, what are the 22 assumptions that are made about you in the first 11 seconds?  What kind of impression do you make on others after an encounter with you?  You have worked hard to get to where you are, to get the education…build your skills…develop your network.  The next step…evaluate your image.   Since we know that “snap judgements” are going to be made, let’s make sure that those judgements are positive ones.

Stay tuned for my upcoming blog series entitled “Style & Substance” featuring women who are managing successful careers, and doing it with style!

Remember: Image is everything, perception is reality!

All the best,

Toni Cunningham, Owner & President

Image Anu, LLC