Browse 239 quotes about Positive First Impression Quotes.
“BE HERE NOW
Do you feel fully present and engaged in the way you live your life? Do you immerse yourself in the moment or do you strive and struggle as you negotiate the distractions of our modern world? It’s easy to have blind spots regarding how you are showing up for life when you are consistently bombarded with distractions, commitments, and personal preoccupations, isn’t it?”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Active listening is not only a matter of making yourself available to hear someone talk, but it is showing the sender, physically, that you are receiving and understanding their message on all levels.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“14 Ways to Become an Incredible Listener
1. Be present and provide your undivided attention.
2. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
3. Listen attentively and respond appropriately.
4. Minimize or eliminate distractions.
5. Focus your attention and energy with singleness of purpose on what the other person is saying.
6. Quiet your mind and suspend your thoughts to make room in your head to hear what is said—in the moment!
7. Ask questions and demonstrate empathy.
8. Use your body language and nonverbal cues constructively and pay attention to theirs.
9. Follow the rhythm of their speech; hear their tone.
10. Repeat and summarize what you have heard them say to confirm understanding.
11. Be open-minded and non-defensive.
12. Respond rather than react.
13. Be respectful, calm, and positive.
14. Try to resolve conflicts, not win them.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Now let’s look at the flip side. When a diligent and caring person receives your complaint, they have the power to turn a challenge into a triumph. Through active listening, they demonstrate that your satisfaction is their top priority. They not only seek to solve your problem, but they are dedicated to re-earning your trust, your respect, and keeping your business.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“If you have ever experienced this type of unprofessional treatment, I doubt you would even consider giving them business in the future. Interrupting, ignoring, patronizing, or antagonizing a customer is like pouring gas on a fire and creates a more explosive situation than the original complaint. Still, it continues to happen every day, costing companies millions in lost revenue.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Have you ever had a legitimate complaint as a customer which made you angry, upset, or frustrated? How was it “handled?" If you were dealing with an inept, uncaring, or untrained employee, they may have made matters even worse by being rude, defensive, or apathetic. Simple acknowledgment and validation of your complaint is sometimes all that is needed. Without it, you're left frustrated or upset.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Active listening is the ultimate "Golden Rule" for sensational customer service. Just as the important people in your life will feel more valued and appreciated when you actively listen, so will your customers.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Active listening is one of the best services a company can provide.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“ASK YOURSELF: How can you utilize active listening to provide sensational customer service? How will this help resolve complaints from unhappy customers?
• Give them your full attention and listen without interruption or defensiveness.
• Thank them for bringing the issue to your attention.
• Take their concerns seriously and share their sense of urgency to resolve the problem quickly.
• Ask questions and focus on what they are really saying.
• Listen to their words, tone of voice, body language, and most importantly, how they feel.
• Beware of making assumptions or rushing to conclusions before you hear their concern fully.
• Explain, guide, educate, assist, and do what’s necessary to help them reach the resolution.
• Treat them with respect and empathy.
When you do an amazing job of resolving an unhappy customer’s problem, you may end up impressing them more than if the problem had never occurred. You may have just earned their loyalty . . . forever!”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“This method enabled me to expand my territory and create a strong network of loyal customers for referrals and repeat business. Make active listening a deliberate part of your business plan and success strategy. You will not only grow your business, but also make wonderful friends along the way.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“My success with customers on the telephone wasn’t by using pushy sales methods, but by engaging people in meaningful conversations which could lead to friendships on the phone before I ever met them. I would ask questions, listen to their stories, respond to their needs, develop rapport, and earn their business. When we would finally meet in person, it felt less like an introduction and more like a reunion. It was not only good business, we had fun in the process!”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“For sixteen years, I had a spectacular real estate career in Tallahassee, Florida. I loved receiving telephone inquiries and making cold calls. I knew that if I could meet people on the phone, I could usually turn them into buyers.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Think of the communication that takes place in your own life on a continuous basis—at home, at work, with friends, and beyond. When you actively listen to people, you enhance communication.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Through the years, I have heard that the average person speaks at about 150-160 words per minute, but can listen at a rate of about 1,000 words per minute. What is going on during all that extra mind time?
• Our minds are racing ahead and preparing for the next thing we are going to say.
• We are preoccupied with other thoughts, priorities, and distractions.
• Our subconscious filters are thumbing through our database of memories, judgments, experiences, perspectives, and opinions to frame how we are going to interpret what we think someone is saying.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“While active listening is crucial for optimal communication, we are faced with a dilemma which can perplex even the sincerest and engaged of individuals.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“You can have the perfect message, but it may fall on deaf ears when the listener is not prepared or open to listening.
These listening "planes" were first introduced by the American composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990) as they pertain to music . . .
1. The Sensual Plane: You’re aware of the music, but not engaged enough to have an opinion or judge it.
2. The Expressive Plane: You become more engaged by paying attention, finding meaning beyond the music, and noticing how it makes you feel.
3. The Musical Plane: You listen to the music with complete presence, noticing the musical elements of melody, harmony, pitch, tempo, rhythm, and form.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“To make matters even more complicated, research has shown that we remember only 25-50 percent of what we hear. This inclination not only compromises our connection with another person, but we can fail to retain vital information. All this evidence demonstrates that it is imperative that we intentionally pay closer attention and strive to become an in-depth listener.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“UN-Impressives of the Poor Listener
• Thinking about what you should have done, could have done, or need to do.
• Allowing your emotional reactions to take over.
• Interrupting the person talking.
• Replying before you hear all the facts.
• Jumping to conclusions and making assumptions.
• Being preoccupied with what you're going to say next.
• Getting defensive or being over-eager.
• One-upmanship—feeling the urge to compete and add something bigger, better, or more significant than what the speaker has to share.
• Imposing an unsolicited opinion.
• Ignoring and changing the subject altogether.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“The Physical Language of Listening
Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as to whether you are fully present and engaged . . .
• Make eye contact.
• Nod your head; confirm.
• Use your eyebrows and expressions of emotions to show that you're paying attention.
• Lean forward.
• Listen patiently to demonstrate respect and sensitivity.
• Open your physical presence to encourage them to continue.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Listening is one thing; however, ACTIVE listening is quite another. The first is a passive act which does not require great involvement, whereas, the latter is a consciously aware and deliberately focused effort to actively participate in the conversation.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Listening actively confirms for people that you are positively receiving and thoroughly understanding the message they are conveying.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“By your practice of active listening, everyone involved benefits because you . . .
• are more engaged and engaging;
• demonstrate that you are interested in others and what they have to say;
• make others feel important, respected, understood, and appreciated;
• improve your memory and retention;
• affirm to others that you are an authentic, caring, and compassionate person;
make a great first and last impression”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“If the skill of participatory listening came effortlessly and easy for everyone, there would not be so many misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, irritations, and frustrations.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Active listening is key to all healthy and effective communication, however, it doesn't necessarily come easily.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“When you become an actively engaged listener, you will develop the mindful awareness that active listening involves multiple layers and distinct levels.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Being Present
Years ago, I attended a conference where the keynote speaker encouraged everyone to BE HERE NOW! It grabbed people's attention and reminded us that living, loving, listening, and laughing all occur in the present moment.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Active listening requires being fully present and engaged in the moment.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“When you are mindfully focused, the person with whom you are communicating feels that you are making them a priority—that you value their time and their perspective. It is in these moments that we can go to deeper levels of discovery, exploration, and connection. It is one of the most valuable gifts and finest compliments you can give to another.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“To Become an Attentive Listener . . .
• Observe a person’s physical presence to see how their body language aligns with their message.
• Recognize what is being said on the surface.
• Engage your intuition to hear the meaning, purpose, and motivation behind their message.
• Be aware of your own internal responses and how you are feeling.
• Put yourself in their shoes to better understand their perspective.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Become keenly aware of these three layers to discover whether you're listening with interest and intent for excellent communication and understanding—or are you unintentionally sabotaging potentially phenomenal conversations. Knowledge of the listening planes will raise your awareness. And as you apply these, enjoy the surprising difference.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Becoming an empathetic listener helps you to better understand how another person feels and why they communicate as they do.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“When my son Nick was five years old, he was sitting at the kitchen bar while I prepared dinner. In typical busy mother fashion, I was multitasking—cooking, cleaning, running the laundry, answering the phone, and attempting to listen to what he had to say.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Listening is one of the finest ways to demonstrate our love for another human being. How many marriages could be saved, friendships healed, careers made, and opportunities enjoyed if people would simply stop what they are doing and listen deeply to what another person has to say. If practiced by everyone, this principle could be a world-changer!”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“The process of attentive listening makes the other person feel important, valued, and heard. For Nick, listening was, and still is, love. I've never forgotten that precious moment—and the lesson!”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Think about the people in your life with whom you have the most engaging dialogue—the ones who will listen to you and consider your opinions regardless of the topic. They'll stop whatever they are doing to give you their full attention. They become completely present and hear you.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Mingle
• Be the connector—introduce people to each other who may not otherwise connect.
• Be a conversation fire starter; point out what people have in common as you are introducing them.
• Seek out the folks who may appear to be shy, or awkward, or wallflowers. Find ways to build trust and comfort. Engage them with a kind word to pull them out of their shell.
• Arrive early and stay late; connect with people before and after your event.
• Stretch beyond your comfort zone to speak with, sit with, and start conversations with people whom you do not know.
• Offer to refill someone’s drink or clear their plate.
• Encourage introductions: “There is someone whom I would love for you to meet . . .”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Get in the Game
“As soon as you say something can’t be done, you will be passed by a person who is already doing it.” – Unknown
“Do you typically observe the game of life from the sidelines, sit in the penalty box, play your heart out on the field, or show up when the opportunity has already passed by and ask, “What happened?”
Your answer to this question will reveal a lot about your initiative. Granted, various situations call for diverse levels of interest and engagement. However, if you want to rock your relationship results, it is going to require action, effort, initiative, and choosing to get in the game.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Be the "Liker"
“If you want to be liked, BE THE LIKER!” This was some of the best advice my enlightened mother ever gave me. Throughout my childhood, teen years, and adulthood, this golden nugget of simple wisdom empowered me to take personal responsibility for developing friendships.
When you want to reach out, make new friends, and increase your likeability factor, step up and “like” others first. They will usually mirror your initiative and like you back.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Ignoring his advice, I got up, walked over, gently rested my hands on two of their shoulders and said, “Ladies, I have to tell you how much you have impressed me. I just moved to Madison from Florida and left behind all my girlfriends. I have been sitting over there admiring your friendships. You remind me so much of my girlfriends back home and I had to come over and speak with you.” And without missing a beat, I next asked, “Can I be your friend?” They were so impressed by my sincere request, they kindly opened their circle and invited me in.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Begin to take the initiative when you want to meet someone new. Be the one who steps forward first. Simply say hello and begin a conversation.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“I spend a great deal of time on airplanes traveling from one speaking engagement to the next. There have been times when I have sat for hours next to strangers with whom I never made eye contact or uttered a word. But then I have also met people with whom I engaged in such delightful conversation that it resulted in new business and referrals. The main difference was whether or not I took initiative to begin a conversation.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Introduce Yourself. Being confident and outgoing will empower you to approach new people who might be reluctant to take the first step. It is amazing how many people we come in contact with yet pass like ships in the night without any engagement or connection.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Take the initiative to introduce yourself. One morning I was sitting on a bike in a spinning class at my gym. There was a lady whom I did not know sitting on the bike next to me. As we waited for the instructor, I decided to break the silence and start a conversation. I took the initiative to introduce myself and within a few short minutes, I knew her children’s names, how long she had lived in Madison, which exercise classes she preferred, and where they went for Christmas. When the class was over, I confirmed that I remembered her name correctly, reminded her of mine and shared that it was a true pleasure meeting her. A simple introduction turned a stranger into a fresh and delightful new acquaintance.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Extend Invitations
"How many times have you sat at home alone feeling jealous or sad that you were not invited to a party or out to dinner? You may have seen people having fun on Facebook and wondered what it would take to be included next time. And when you don’t feel included, it can leave you feeling rejected, dismissed, lonely and excluded. It does not have to be this way. Why do we wait for others to do the inviting? You can change your social life instantly by taking the initiative to reach out and connect with someone.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Be the Inviter
“When I began my speaking career, I designed and delivered motivational programs for children teaching them success skills for life. Before going into a middle school one year, I interviewed the principal, Alexis Tibbetts, to ask what words of wisdom her students desperately needed to hear from me. She shared, “Kids can be so cruel. Some of the children never feel included or a part of something special. Please tell them that rather than being lonely and getting their feelings hurt, they can start doing the inviting.” Her words were spot-on. Alexis went on to become a well-loved superintendent of schools in Okaloosa County, Florida. Her words of wisdom were game-changing for her students. They can be game-changing for you as well.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Imagine how many new friends you would make, how much new business you could create, and how much fun you could have by simply taking the initiative to be the inviter.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Imagine how many new friends you would make, how much new business you could create, and how much fun you could have by simply taking the initiative to be the inviter. Try it today. Welcome new relationships into your life that would never have occurred otherwise.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“I disagree with the adage, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Good intentions are powerful mindsets which will drive your actions to accomplish the results you want. Setting good intentions sets you up for success by providing you with a vision and a plan to “get ‘er done” and make it happen!”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“The road to hell” (in the metaphorical sense, of course), occurs when the people who have good intentions fail to act, follow-through, or live up to their promises, all of which creates stress, frustration, and disappointment. People can be earnest and well-meaning, but their words become hollow when actions do not follow their words. By setting good intentions and taking deliberate action to back intentions up, you can transform your results.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact
“Why Do Some People NOT Take Initiative?
• They have a FEAR of . . . rejection, looking stupid, failing, criticism, getting out of their comfort zone, or imposing on other people.
• They are unmotivated or uninspired.
• They get stuck in negativity, confusion, stress, or doubt.
• They don’t want to upset the apple cart or the status quo.
• They are lazy, disengaged, or indifferent.
• They have LACK of . . . energy, desire, confidence, self-esteem, skills, creativity, imagination, connections, resources, education.”
Source: The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact