I have heard you make a significant impression the very first time you meet someone. Maybe so. I would argue the biggest impression you make is the one after you leave. For example, check out this cartoon by Tom Fishburne:

I had a similar experience with United years ago when trying to make the last connecting flight from California into Denver on my way home to Oklahoma City. Because of the weather, we were late in landing by a few minutes. After first being told by the flight attendant if they would not call ahead to see if they would hold my connecting flight, I ran through the terminal(s) and saw my ride back to OKC pulling away from the gate. "I'm sorry you missed your flight but you can find assistance at the customer service desk," the woman said. Much to my suprise a customer service desk was only two gates away!! However my disappointment and then anger boiled over when I arrived at the desk and was informed "they were closing for the evening and I would have to go to another terminal where I would find another customer service desk!" (I did ask him to define "customer service" but he declined...)

My impression? Don't ask.

My experiences with companies, businesses, or products over the years have had similar results. Because of their impressions, I refuse to do business with them unless I'm forced to.

But what about the impression you and I leave with people? Are they impressed enough to return? To follow us?  To stay in touch? Our experiences with people every day are just moments, sometimes literally fractions of seconds in an encounter which determines whether they are "impressed" enough to return or follow. Whether you are a CEO, a fellow team member, or even a mom or dad, what's the impression you're leaving? I'm not talking about after you're dead and gone but today? Right now? This very moment?

The impressions we leave become the memories made. So how are you doing?

rb

My sister sent me this 5 minute video that is incredible on the possibilities of what the future holds regarding the use of glass! Amazing.