100 Things Every Presenter Needs to Know About People

73. People “Read” Other People In An Instant and Unconsciously

The research in psychology over the last 15 years has revealed that people process information unconsciously and make very quick (1 second or less), unconscious decisions about people. When you start your presentation, and possibly before you say your first few words, your audience has already sized you up and decided what they think about you. Although it is possible that what you do after those first few seconds changes their mind, the tendency is for these first impressions to last throughout the presentation. Because people are making these quick assessments, you need to design and orchestrate the very beginning of your presentation carefully.

Your “Introducer” is Critical

If ...