First impressions can make or break a relationship. Whether personal, casual, or professional, all future interactions and reactions within that relationship may hinge on that first meeting. Your behavior, appearance, and even your nonverbal communication habits can influence how you are perceived, and that's before you even open your mouth to speak. MindTools (2011) states that: “All it takes is a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you first meet.” If we don't make a good first impression, we may not have the opportunity to make a second or third. This is important in leadership, because the impression you make on both top management and potential followers and employees could mean the difference between success and failure. Do you have a very vivid first impression of someone that has influenced your view of him or her in a negative or positive way? for the rest of your relationship with him or her? Did anything they did or say after that first impression change your opinion of them? I remember I was at an audition for a community theater musical production and a woman came in asking if her teenage daughter could audition. When her daughter showed some stage fright, she scolded her in front of everyone for wasting her time. I was pretty horrified by the public embarrassment he caused his daughter, especially since public humiliation is kind of a phobia of mine. About a month later I started working for a new company and found out that this mother worked there too. I was very uncomfortable with her and found it difficult to trust her actions and motives due to my memories of what she had subjected her daughter to. Every interaction I had with this woman was colorful… middle of paper… 2011). All of these attributes can trigger a reaction before you've even introduced yourself or said a word. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to be aware of how you present yourself to people, whether as a potential employer, as an employee or in personal relationships. References Clark, Don. (2010). Juxtaposition of large dog and small dog performance. Retrieved from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadhb.htmlMoua, Mia. (2010). Practical applications in leadership – Impact of leadership on human behavior. Retrieved from http://csuglobal.blackboard.com/courses/1/SPRING11B-8-ORG300-3/content/_277120_1/dir_xid-34004_2/org300_2.html#Mind Tools. (2011). Make a great first impression. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/FirstImpressions.htmMilne, A. A. (1926). Winnie the Pooh. United Kingdom: Methuen & Co. Ltd.