Sprechen zie Deutsch?

Sprechen zie Deutsch?

(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. – Astrological Definition)

My friend, Guido Quelle, was here recently from Germany for my Shameless Promotion Workshop. He began speaking to my German Shepherd, Koufax, in German. Koufax, notoriously aloof and gnomic in his relationships, immediately warmed to Guido, and permitted extensive petting and scratching.

Now, I know that Koufax can’t understand German, and that there are not ethnic or racial origins involved here, right?

Right?

Perhaps it was just Guido’s way with dogs (he has two of his own), or his tone of voice, or perhaps is was Koufax’s discernment of a kindred past. But he certainly took to Guido exceptionally well.

Some prospects take to us exceptionally well, and some clearly do not. In many cases, it’s the prospect’s problem: preoccupied, overwhelmed, poor attention span, arrogant—whatever. But in some cases it’s our fault, therefore controllable and worth trying to avoid doing (and certainly prevent constantly repeating).

What are others’ first impressions of you? You probably don’t know what they are. Are you dressed professionally and stylishly, or are you rumpled and out of date? Do you smile or do you look nervous and grim? Do you have a firm handshake or a limp lump of pasta that falls short of al dente? Are you carrying a smart briefcase or are you a pack horse with computers and ragged baggage? Do you know where to sit after you’re asked and how to open a conversation, or are you bouncing around like a metal orb in a pinball machine?

You only get a one chance to create a first impression. Since most of us are engaged in such rituals frequently, wouldn’t it be a clever idea to get good at it? And that includes your email, blog entries, tweets, and other non-personal impressions. I’ve always thought that people with 17 initials after their names on their business cards, none of which I can figure out, are trying to overcompensate, and that those who ask you to send them a package and don’t have a physical address in their signature file, are just not trying.

In any case, a great first impression can overcome even the prospect’s bad habits, costs nothing, and is easy to replicate once learned and practiced. Koufax is back to his old self, but I found an empty bottle of Löwenbräu in the yard the other day, and I’m beginning to suspect something isn’t quite right….

© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved.