The Power of the Moment: Why the First Impression Matters—and Why It Doesn't Always

      There are moments that hold a special place in our hearts forever. The "firsts." Your first real love, the first home, the first major success—these moments profoundly shape who we are.

And then there is the first impression. The tricky thing about the first impression isn't that it's unnecessary, but that it's incredibly difficult to change later on. It's the unspoken, yet crucial, starting line for every new relationship, every encounter, every change.

 

      We all know this feeling, especially in the professional world: In the first week of a new job, people feel they have to push their absolute hardest. They're not just showing who they are, but who they aspire to be. They're essentially putting on a "show"—that intense urge to constantly prove themselves and over-impress.

For more expert advice on the initial seven seconds, see this guide from TIME Magazine on How To Make The Best First Impression: https://time.com/5374799/best-first-impression-experts/

 

     But no matter how hard you try to "sell yourself" or "put on a performance" in that initial phase, it always comes down to the same thing: People see you, and they immediately make a critical assessment: "How much respect am I going to give this person?"

    Unfortunately, bias plays a massive role here. "She looks too young; I’d prefer the older one." "He seems too eager." Our brains look for shortcuts. The problem is: These initial judgments cement themselves quickly. Trying to shake them off later often feels like begging for a second chance. And let's be honest: Life doesn't hand out too many opportunities for a second first impression.

     That’s why we should treat every day like a new beginning. Especially in healthcare professions, where the stakes are highest, we must always be aware: A normal workday for us is often the most important day in our patient's life. 

There is a simple formula for this: When you meet someone, project professionalism and humanity. This starts with a genuine greeting and extends all the way to your external presence (clothing, posture). For the patient, only one thing matters in that moment: They need to feel safe and seen.

 

Looking Beyond the Facade

Someone once said that when we first meet another person, we are ultimately trying to answer two questions:

 Can I trust you?

Can I rely on you?

Your presence and your words provide the initial answer.

 

  This is precisely why we must also be vigilant against the "fake nice people"—those who are only there to gather information and will discard you as soon as you are no longer useful. If you’re not careful, you’ll be bleeding before a shark. Some people are just waiting to prey on your vulnerabilities. Be wise: The first impression never tells the whole story.

   If we circle back to the beginning, to first love: It starts with a first impression—often the best one we can ever convey. Because in that moment, we offer the other person the best possible version of ourselves, hoping to gain their trust.

   We owe this dedication to our patients and clients as well. But in the end, the most important principle applies: Your goal should not be to make a good first impression. Your goal should simply be to be perfectly okay with the fact that the other person may or may not like you—and that is completely fine.

 

Your integrity and your worth remain untouched by their judgment.