You know when someone just instantly makes a great impression when they walk into a room, have you ever wondered, what is it about them that makes them stand out? 

Sure, they’re probably well-groomed and looking pretty slick. But it goes deeper than that. It’s about their energy, how they carry themselves, and how they make us feel about ourselves. 

It seems so effortless yet so powerful, what’s their secret? 

I’ve often felt forgettable after first meetings and I’ve always wanted to make a better impression, so I’ve closely observed how others make a strong impact right away.

Turns out: making a strong first impression isn’t about one big thing, but rather a bunch of small actions.

Today, I’m sharing 6 behaviors that people who instantly make a great impression have mastered so that people like you and I can start leaving lasting impressions too. 

You’ll probably be surprised how simple and easy these things are to do. Let’s get started. 

1) They’re genuinely curious about others

People who make a great impression instantly are genuinely interested in the people around them. As soon as they start to engage in conversation they’re interested in you and what you’ve got to say. 

They have this knack for making people feel special. And you always remember someone who makes you feel special, right? 

Here’s the thing: It’s easier than you might think to achieve this.

All you’ve got to do is show an interest by asking thoughtful and engaging questions to learn more about the person you’re talking to. You might be wondering if it’s so simple why don’t most people do it?

Psychology Today outlines that, studies have shown that our favorite topic of conversation is ourselves. We spend 60% of conversations talking about ourselves, simply because it feels good. 

“Talking about oneself activates the same areas of the brain that light up when eating good food, taking drugs, and even having sex.” notes positive psychiatrist, Samantha Boardman M.D.

If you want to make a great impression, it’s time to flip the script. Stop talking about yourself so much and show genuine curiosity for other people. It’s simple but effective. 

2) They’re quietly confident

I’ll never forget meeting this guy in a bar once. I wasn’t particularly attracted to him and he didn’t do anything to stand out, except, he oozed confidence. He wasn’t cocky and attention-seeking, just quietly confident and self-assured.

I noticed him as soon as he walked in from across the bar. He had no business doing so but he grabbed my attention. I think the fact that he wasn’t conventionally attractive added to his appeal. He wasn’t just another attractive cocky guy, he was something more. 

Later in the evening, he bought me a drink. We chatted, exchanged numbers, and agreed to go on a date. The date was a total bust. I don’t even remember his name now, but his confidence left a lasting impression on me. And taught me an important lesson.  

Confidence is key to making a great first impression. It’s effortless and powerful at the same time. It’s a belief in yourself that puts everyone around you at ease. 

I admit, it’s not easy to create confidence out of thin air, but it is possible to build it over time. 

Challenge yourself to be a more confident communicator. Keep working at it and you’ll be making great impressions without even trying before you know it. 

3) They hold eye contact

Have you ever noticed that people who make a great impression as soon as they walk into a room have mastered the art of holding eye contact? 

Eye contact is incredibly powerful in communication because it: 

• Shows confidence
• Improves authority and empathy
• Encourages engagement from others 

People who make an impression as soon as they walk in the room know this, they use eye contact to their advantage, and as a result, they’re more memorable to people they meet. 

But don’t just take my word for it: a recent study has found that eye contact automatically triggers a natural positive response. When someone makes eye contact it creates a connection and it makes us feel good too. 

Start holding eye contact with people just a little longer and it could help you to create connections and better first impressions. 

4) They’re respectful, approachable, and down-to-earth

It’s easy to feel intimidated by people who make a great first impression but the truth is, if you’ve ever had a chance to chat with any of them, you’ll realize most of them are respectful, approachable, and down-to-earth. 

Richard Branson has a reputation for being warm, approachable, and, down-to-earth. The business tycoon is often seen chatting and joking with his employees and comes across as very warm in interviews. 

Big on respect, kindness, and having a positive impact on the world and the people in it, Branson famously said “Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.” 

People who make an impression as soon as they walk in the room know this and treat everyone they meet with respect and kindness. They’re not worried about trying to impress the most important person in the room, they know that everyone deserves respect and has value. 

We should all remember to respect everyone, not just to make a good impression, but it’s a nice bonus that it helps with that too.

5) They listen and give you their full attention 

We’re all guilty of being distracted and not fully attentive at times, right? 

It’s a terrible habit but I admit in the past I’ve found myself half listening to someone while scanning the room and glancing at my phone. This not only creates a bad impression it’s also incredibly bad manners. 

People who make a strong impression are attentive to those they’re interacting with. They know how to be present in conversations and they make sure their attention doesn’t drift away. They’re also excellent listeners making sure to engage fully through active listening. 

Being fully attentive and actively engaged in conversations may seem very simple yet one study found that phubbing (ignoring someone to pay attention to your phone) occurs in 62% of conversations. 

Giving someone your full attention during a conversation is basic manners but it also helps you to create a lasting impression on someone as it allows them to feel valued. 

6) They’ve got positive energy 

People who make a strong impression as soon as they walk into a room are usually inherently positive, and all about spreading positive vibes.  

Think about it: has someone with negative energy ever left a positive lasting impression on you? Probably not. Being around people who constantly moan and complain can drag you down and nobody wants that, right?

We could all do with a little more positive energy in our lives and thanks to emotional contagion, being around positive people rubs off on us. This is one of the reasons people who leave a lasting impression are generally positive, they stand out as a beaming light of positivity. 

There are pros and cons to everything in life and although humans have a bias towards negativity, we’ve all got a choice about what kind of energy we carry. If you want to make a positive impression on people, make sure you’re a source of positive energy for others. 

The bottom line

What have you noticed about people who make a strong impression everywhere they go? 

Believe it or not: when you make other people feel seen, heard, acknowledged, and appreciated, they walk away from that interaction with a positive impression of you. 

It’s so simple. Creating a good impression has almost nothing to do with you and everything to do with how you make others feel.