Hard Faces and First Impressions

My wife and I were walking through the park this weekend when we passed a group of neighborhood kids playing a game. After we were some distance away, my wife asked if I had noticed what hard faces the kids had. Glancing back, I understood what she was talking about; it was as if these kids had already lost their childhood innocence. It's not just that they weren't smiling, but that they seemed almost angry.

Seeing the hard faces of these kids made me wonder how I come across to others at work. Do I smile enough? Do I convey a positive image to those around me? Do I come across as approachable, or do I broadcast a "go away" message?

I read a brief article once in Fast Company magazine about a job called, "Director of First Impressions". I wasn't sure if the role was describing a receptionist position, or if this person played a specific role in Marketing or Customer Service (though I had the distinct impression the article could have been describing Kristen, the Administrative Assistant for one of the marketing groups at my company). However, what struck me is how directly applicable this concept is to me. Basically, I am the Director of First Impressions for brand me, and I am responsible for how people perceive me.

I sometimes have a tendency to become so absorbed in my work that I forget about the impression I am leaving with others. What I need to remember is that the work I do is ultimately wrapped up in the way I present it. I'm not talking about a formal presentation, but about the daily interactions I have with others. I can choose to ignore this and create an audience of skeptics, or I can choose to be intentional about how I interact with others, and reap the benefits of a simple smile.

Light it up...

Rob