Running head: VITAL IMPRESSIONS 1

Vital Impressions
William Pittman
ORG300-22 Applying Leadership Principles
Colorado State University Global Campus
Professor Laurel Schneider
January 19, 2014










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Vital Impressions
First impressions are what enables identification at first interaction, striking us subliminally.
From the moment you begin socializing with another person or even view from afar, consciously or not,
you begin to compile pieces of information about the person in an effort for understanding. Whether or
not these observations or feelings are typical of an individuals behavior or demeanor, this elementary
compilation of information about a person develops into what we consider our first impression.
Everyone will notice or view something different about any person in particular. Some are aware
of deficiencies that inhibit others to make a first impression typically considered self forward and can
overlook certain matters while others cant. One may deem one dressed appropriately while another
may not. One may not even notice the way someone is dressed. What we pick up on is an individual
interpretation and proves circumstantial. Different social scenarios define what is expected. Impressions
are always situational and making a good one requires awareness of whats expected and whats
merited. It is within the eye of the beholder as to what information will be received and how it will be
processed to form the initial feelings about a person. This abstraction of information gathering and
processing results in a signature way we view, perceive, and communicate with one another.
These initial feelings about a person or vibes form as a framework for all future interaction
determining the way we interact with that person. This is vital in that it can lay the framework for the
relationship whether or not the observations are representative as typical of the person. This brings us
to the importance of making a good self-representative impression. This framework serves as the
foundation for all additional information about the person to be built upon and as a determining factor
of how one decides to interact with another. A first impression deemed good proves to be a positive
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starting point for healthy interaction while a negative first impression leaves us with doubts about
future interaction with that person, changing the way we choose to interact.
First impressions are in the eye of the beheld: a unique interpretation. For First Impressions,
sourced from Big Dog & Little Dogs Performance Juxtaposition, I will use my personal viewpoint for the
analysis. Being an extrovert, I generally tend to have an initial better feeling about the person if they too
are an extrovert leaving myself more receptive to positive interpretation. I generally like to consider
myself very accepting of differences and introvert like behavior typically doesnt alter my impression of
someone right off the bat. The ability of accepting people for who they are is a big factor in determining
your first impression. Being accepting of differences will enable you to have positive first impressions of
people.
After the first scenario, I picture John as giving a very positive first impression. High levels of
socialization gives him the opportunity to meet people often making meeting someone natural. Things
such as walking in the sun encourages me to interact further. His outlook seems healthy and natural by
his actions. John, in this scenario would have struck me as someone I would like to be around in general.
With this type of information conveyed to me I find myself encouraged to interact with this version of
John.
The second scenario: John as an introvert, leads me to believe I would not have a high first
impression, although he may be motivated, it seems to me, that he would seem lackadaisical. Although
interesting things about John in this state may exist, from a first impression standpoint they would never
be known. It seems to me that John would lack the motivation to put his best assets forward and put
no effort into the conversation. All things considered from a first impression standpoint it seems like it
would be difficult to remain eager about meeting him.
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After examining the two scenarios in reverse order, I still see our hypothetical John as two
distinct personalities. However, after reading in reverse order it is ascertainable to me that these two
scenarios possibly reflect different time of day behavior. Not everyone always makes a good first
impression and this could be possible evidence of why that could is. Between these two periods of
behavior, my first impression of John would have varied greatly.
This possible variation in behavior parallels the one greatest variables in giving a good first
impression: The receptiveness of the other person. When we look at John. The level of openness or
initial interest in another person is assumedly opposite in accordance with his extrovert and introvert
personality traits. With Extrovert John, it would seem he would be receptive to new things and enjoy
meeting a new person as he likes to socialize. Introvert John, on the other hand, tends to spend his time
alone implying that he prefers less socialization than average, meeting in new people would most likely
disinterest him.
First impressions are complex in their development and their resulting implications. They are the
unreturnable step in building a relationship, even if that relationship lasts five minutes. The impression
you make first with someone will, in my opinion, lasts the longest as a determining factor in the way
interaction takes place between people