Put Your Best Foot Forward: Make a Great Impression by Taking Control of How Others See You

By Jo-Ellan Dimitrius

Book Overview

Time-tested advice on projecting a positive image in any situation -- from the Internet to an interview -- drawn from scientific and popular literature about the clues people use to judge others

In Put Your Best Foot Forward, two experts in "people reading" identify the four qualities -- trustworthiness, caring, humility, and capability -- that form the foundation of every great impression. They explain how to convey these vital qualities through personal appearance, body language, voice, and actions, and reveal how particular environments affect the impression one makes. With hands-on tips and advice, they teach readers how to accentuate their positive traits and eliminate negative ones.
The "Impression Management" techniques you will learn in this book have been garnered from over 10,000 interviews and employed successfully by people from every walk of life, ranging from leaders of Fortune 500 companies to lawyers and other professionals and to business people at every rung of the corporate ladder and individuals who want to enhance their personal relationships.
For anyone who wants (or needs) to enhance the way he or she is perceived by others -- from executives to students, nervous suitors to chat room visitors -- Put Your Best Foot Forward is the place to start.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068486407X
• ISBN13: 9780684864075
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book for the corporate environment

If you are one of those who is wondering how to behave correctly in the corporate world, getting things done and having an excellent professional relation with your colleagues then you should give this book a shot. Invaluable lessons taught in an easy to read writing style

KEEPING YOUR FOOT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!

How often have you thought, "I wish I hadn't said or done that?" as the person you are talking to closes up and makes a hasty retreat. This book heightens ones awareness of "toxic traits"- how we turn people off and conversely "magic pills" - ways or styles or qualities that will win points with everyone. Sure it is common sense, and there is really no new turf or ground explored, yet it never hurts to take a closer look at ones self. Highly recommended reading for recent graduates, young professionals eager to make a good impression on the job, or for anyone. The authors call it "Impression Management". I like it. Here's a few of Ms Dimitrius' and Mr Mazzarella's "magic pills"; eye contact, a smile, a good handshake and greeting, posture and ehthusiam. Their "Toxic traits" turning people off are : gossip, pettiness, sarcasm, cursing and bad hygiene.

Excellent overview

This book is far better than the author's prior work, Reading People, which seemed to suffer from a persistent lack of definitive statements. This book offers real insights on how other people will be likely to view you and has considerable real work and experience behind it. It compares favorably with two other interesting books on my bookshelf: Influence, by Cialdini and How to Succeed with Women, by Louis and Copeland. Though the Louis and Copeland book is the best of its genre, it would benefit greatly from Ms. Dimitrius' sections on how to be perceived as trustworthy and caring in Chap 12.My experience has repeatedly confirmed several of Ms. Dimitrius' points. Most notable is her observation that "Most people's favorite topic of conversation is themselves, their interests, or their opinions. Great impressions are assured when you tap into, and satisfy, others' love of themselves" (p. 236). I work with a number of very successful people who have very crowded schedules; they always make time when you are genuinely interested in learning the details of their favorite topics and greatest successes. They're so happy to see your interest that it's very hard to keep them from picking up the tab for lunch or dinner.

Very Helpful-Insightful

This is a wonderful book. I didn't realize how many things people look at, or pay attention to but now that I have read the book I am more aware of how I put myself into a surrounding. It made me see a few things I was guilty of doing and I am now trying to keep that in mind. Often I will start to do something and I remember what I read in this book. Thank you for bringing to mind the different areas people look at upon a first impression. Jo-Ellan Dimitrius and Mark Mazzarella are great authors. I would recommend this book highly to anyone..

Thank you!

In dealing with business professionals, the first impression is often the only impression that's left with them. Thank you for USEFUL information to help me improve my business and personal life!