“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
"Human beings are built to size each other up quickly." Years ago I met a young man who was dating my daughter. Within five minutes, I told my wife that I thought there was something "very wrong" with this person. I don't know what it was. He's serving a long-term sexual assault prison sentence.
Impressions are verbal and nonverbal. Posture, clothing, facial expressions, speech content and tone all contribute to initial assessments.
A podcaster noted that during camps, he noticed a young player volume shooting half-an-hour before others arrived. The player? Stephen Curry. Coaches notice difference makers.
Shortly before tryouts, a sixth-grader came up to me saying, "Hi, my name is Naomi. I'm really excited to be here." She made the team.
Before tryouts, I sit players along the baseline. Then, I say, "I need a volunteer." Some hands go up. "Ladies, you can do better. When you hear, "vol", jump up like you're shot out of a cannon. Leave an impression."
"Be your best self."
- Look the part. Be attentive, enthusiastic, energetic. Sometimes a flashy T-shirt or socks stand out.
- Prepare for the role. Be ready for opportunity, the understudy who gets a shot to star. Displace Wally Pipp.
- Impact the game. Celtics' second round choice has a long hill to climb. But he understands the value of the simple play, to fall in love with easy.
Boost your chance of success by managing impressions.
- Make and hold eye contact.
- Stand up straight but not rigidly. Don't slouch.
- Have a firm handshake.
- Demonstrate listening.
- Ask for explanations if needed.
- Be likable without being a sycophant (brown nose).
- Be confident but not arrogant. Be engaged not cool.
Remember when Jayson Tatum went into Milwaukee and dropped 46 to force game 7? That was pretty cool.pic.twitter.com/3SeWpaC5Wp
— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) July 17, 2022