How to address and fix a Bad Impression

First impressions are quick, powerful, and lasting, which is why it’s so important to do everything you can to make a good one. It is also true that good impressions are your defining moments, but how about bad impressions? Yes, that can define you as well; that is the reason why fixing bad impressions are quite important. There are instances when the best move for fixing bad impressions is to wait it out, until the perception simmers down. This is to validate whether the bad impression is really something of a mistake or a perception problem.

See a few ways on how to correct and address a bad impression;

1. Be consistent: Stay consistent with the way you deal with your co-workers. While a sustained effort over time may be required to change a bad first impression, it’s not sufficient. You also need to be stable in your subsequent behavior. This pertains to your day to day communication with them whether we are talking about answering queries, phone calls, and other important matters.

2. Apologize when needed: If you got on the wrong foot with a client or a co-worker, apologize when necessary. Sometimes bad first impressions are caused by genuine mistakes. Perhaps you discussed a touchy subject unknowingly or mistook your new contact for someone else. Simply apologize for your mistake. Fixing bad impressions have to be professional and dignified as well.

3. Compensate: One of the ways in which you can compensate would be to change your behavior. For example, you can be consistent with your management of your time by answering all communication promptly, arriving early during meetings, or becoming professional at all times. It is essential that they see your consistency with your behavior so that they will perceive you differently other than the first impression.

4. Initiate relationships: It is very tempting to avoid people whom you have made a wrong impression. However, the most prudent thing to do is to get to know the person, in case this happens in the workplace and prove them wrong.

5. Ask for a chance to correct: Being straightforward can help minimize misunderstandings and reframe the discussion. Honesty can be a game changer in any relationship and goes a long way toward changing someone’s perspective. If you feel that there is a failure to connect interpersonally, provide your view of the situation and then vet it with the other person. Admit what caused your behavior that may have led to a wrong impression. If the other party is as open minded as most people hope to be, then they should give you the benefit of the doubt.