I have always been taught that when you meet someone you should smile and be cordial. Doing this shows what is in your heart and in most instances, will receive a kind word and acknowledgement in return.
In all of my years of selling, I had the opportunity of attending many training seminars and what I learned from every one of them is that first impressions are the most important part of reaching your customers. Not only in the sales field is this important but in any public, private, family, or incidental meetings, it is critical. If your first impression is flawed, it will take much longer to earn the interest and respect of anyone you have met.
Not only is this necessary in most business fields, it is extremely needed and desired in your church work. Most likely if you are the first person a visitor sees or speaks with in or about your church, you are the church speaking. Your innate ability to invite someone to worship with you, in a place that you are happy with, will speak about the entire congregation’s perception of welcoming new people to be a part the church. This will also open many avenues to speaking to someone about Jesus and His Saving Grace only He offers.
When I was young I was blessed to be a part of Boy Scouts. As did my church, the Boy Scout program had a major impact on my outlook on life and other people. Just as the sales training seminars I attended as an adult, my childhood involvement in the church and the Boy Scout program has always influenced me in my decisions. As a scout I learned to always, “Be Prepared.”
One never knows what life is going to throw at them. When meeting someone for the first time cordiality can help someone overcome their fears, disappointments, uncertainty, shyness, and can help in times of grief. Having a smile and some kind words never hurt anyone and in most instances will create easiness on the part of the one you meet. It portrays a caring attitude and what’s in your heart.
In all of my years in the media business, I had my share of upset people come into my office because of something we printed or something we didn’t print or do. I found that in meeting these people, most of them for the first time, I extended to them a friendly greeting and a smile. I listened to them and heard their complaints and most were appreciative of that. Not all of the meetings ended the way I wanted, but at least we parted on a good note. Also, I was able to let them know that my door was open to them at any time and this made them feel welcome whether they agreed with me or not.
All of us should remember what we are told in Proverbs 15:13; “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Each day of our lives we should make an opportunity of meeting someone for the first time. When you do this, smile and display a cordial, cheerful attitude. I firmly believe that if we all practiced this we would all live in a much better and happier place.
