People size you up in seconds, but what exactly are they evaluating?
Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy has been studying first impressions for more than 15 years, and has discovered patterns in these interactions.
In her new book, “Presence,” Cuddy says people quickly answer two questions when they first meet you:
- Can I trust this person?
- Can I respect this person?
Cuddy says that most people, in a professional context, believe that competence is the more important factor. After all, they want to prove that they are smart and talented enough to handle your business.
