If you have ever made a bad first impression and you think it is not a costly move, I’ll ask that you think this through again. Although first impressions can change over time, they have the ability to linger long in people’s mind and if you think the relationship is worth saving at all, you probably might need to consider how to save face.
1. Determine if action is required: There are some bad impressions that you might never be able to fix as some might have happened to a stranger you have no opportunity to see again. Going about looking for mistakes to correct will only tire you out. Determine if action is required by considering how important the relationship is to you.
2. Apologize immediately: The minute you determine the importance of the relationship, it is time to take action and the first action that should be on your mind is to render an apology if you are at fault. The best way to do this is to have a face to face meeting with the other person, preferably at a social event or a one on one meet at a restaurant in which case, you will have to pay. Make sure it is a conducive environment where you can talk. Give an excusable reason for your bad first impression if there are any or just apologize if there aren’t. They will appreciate the effort. If you don’t have the opportunity to apologize to them immediately, whenever you or they can find the time, make sure you apologize.
3. Don’t dwell on your mistakes: Once you have apologized, find something else engaging to talk about with them. Remember that the goal of meeting with them is to change their first impression of you so avoid dwelling on the mistake once you have apologized.
4. Now, be you: What you have done in the above steps is trying to wipe your slate clean. The other person now understands that the bad first impression you made was a mistake but they are still skeptical because they do not know what your next move might be. The ball is therefore in your court from this time on so be yourself. As long as you are your beautiful self, you need not fear.
5. Be consistent: If it is your true self you have shown to the other person, it will be consistent and the other person will in turn reduce their skepticism and release their guard in order to trust you. It is only by being consistent in being yourself that you can truly save your face and write a new and beautiful chapter of yourself on the other person’s slate.
