Your 7-Second Checklist

You can't control everything, but you can control the biggest signals. Lock these in before any first meeting:

• Stand tall — shoulders back, weight even on both feet
• Smile before you speak — it signals warmth and openness
• Make eye contact in the first two seconds — delayed eye contact reads as avoidance
• Keep your hands visible — hidden hands can make some listeners less comfortable
• Match the room's energy — too loud in a quiet space backfires, and so does too quiet in a loud one

None of these take talent. They take awareness and a quick self-check before you walk in.