First Impressions Matter ...
Well, duh…. we learn this from our earliest coaching from our parents. Be kind, smile, shake hands. Dress well, polish your shoes, brush your teeth. Raise your hand, ask questions, be prepared.
Does the same hold true for a physical environment we visit for the first time? Let’s think about that. You are visiting the home of someone you have been dating and as soon as you walk in, there is a strange smell. You look at the walls to get some sense of what this person is about and see dog earred signs on the wall reminding him/her to take out garbage, empty the dishwasher, warning guests that they must remove their shoes upon entering.
You have arrived early so your date is getting ready and you have to sit on the well worn sofa, the TV is tuned to Fox News (you are a Democrat) and while you are dying for something to drink you are reticent as the sink is full of dirty dishes and the coffee table has sticky rings of unknown origin and besides, no one offered you anything.
OK, so you are enamored with the person so you might overlook much of this. But, what if this person was a professional you were visiting and this was their waiting room? An attorney or doctor you were referred to by a friend. Combine this first questionable impression with the fact that you are anxious about your legal problem or health, what then? How does this impression color your ability to listen to and take the counsel of the person you are meeting with. Might you be considering other options?
If you follow any type of media, you know that anxiety is off the charts with the COVID-19 virus. Time to take advantage of an unfortunate circumstance to show your clients and patients that you care about them! Besides the obvious cleanliness requirements: hand sanitizer (if you can find it!), disinfecting wipes, chairs separated, handouts explaining how to boost the immune system and precautions to take to avoid infection what else can you do?
What about staff who welcomes clients/patients and kindly makes them aware of the cleanliness precautions that have been taken and how the client/patient can help the process. Another wonderful addition would be the Aromatherapy packets referenced in United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine https://www.hemispheresmag.com/5-wellness-retreats/ What a wonderful gift to help with anxiety through the simple application of aromatherapy. What are you waiting for? How can you use this national epidemic to provide a positive first impression in the care to your clients/ patients?
In the words of Maya Angelou, “…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” What can you do today in your waiting area to make a great first impression? Please share your ideas below.