Home Professional coaching Self awereness & introspection How Impression Management Impacts Your Professional Reputation How Impression Management Impacts Your Professional Reputation CoachHub · 3 February 2023 · 5 min read From our colleagues to our leaders to our social circles, we all want to make a positive impression on others. We want to be perceived as witty, funny, intelligent, commanding or attractive. So we adapt our behaviors, and even appearances, to impress others. Impression management is important in the development of our social and work relationships and it’s an important quality in effective leaders. Let’s look at what impression management is, how it’s used and how to develop it. Content What is impression management? Why do we use impression management? What are the advantages and disadvantages of impression management? Strategies of impression management Professional coaching can help you with impression management What is impression management? Originally conceptualized in 1959 by sociologist Erving Goffman as self-presentation, impression management refers to the behaviors and actions individuals use to influence observations, opinions and perceptions about an object, event or person – particularly themselves. We consciously – and unconsciously – regulate the information we provide during social and business interactions to present ourselves in a way we would like to be thought of by the individuals or groups we’re interacting with. We tend to think of impression management in terms of first impressions. For example, presenting the very best version of yourself during a first date or job interview. Or we may think of impression management in terms of how we look. However, impression management goes much deeper than that. Examples of impression management You’re engaging in impression management when you: Exaggerate the positive aspects or achievements of your personal or work life Regulate information about the company that is released to employees Throw on a suit jacket prior to client meetings Relay a made-up excuse for your tardiness Deep clean and redecorate your home before visitors arrive Correct a typo on a text message or social post or comment Retouch or filter a photo to make yourself look more attractive Practice facial expressions, postures, etc. to use in social and business situations While these behaviors may seem duplicitous or manipulative, Goffman indicated that we all work to create a desired impression about ourselves in the same way that actors develop their characters. In fact, Goffman’s dramaturgical theory proposes that each of us is a collection of the different roles we play. We tend to do it in every aspect of our lives, even when we’re not intentionally trying to do so. And even in situations when we feel like we can be ourselves. For example, you may present a version of yourself to a close sibling that is completely different from the version you present to a grandparent. Why do we use impression management? There are social and psychosocial reasons that we present different versions of ourselves, including: To smooth social interactions. We may curb or conform our manners and behaviors to meet rule-governed behaviors, social norms or social expectations. We self-monitor to avoid offending others and to navigate unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Self-preservation. In his book, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, Goffman explains that self-presentation impacts how one is treated by others. How we are perceived also defines an individual’s role in the social order. As such, managing how one is perceived is a means of self-preservation. Self-promotion. Self-presentation is a tactic used to assert the perception that one possesses the characteristics or attributes required for a desired position or status. It is a method of personal branding that may be used to win a political position, job promotion, personal relationship and even a positive job appraisal or social status. What are the advantages and disadvantages of impression management? Impression management can help you to build a positive reputation, your personal brand and even your self-confidence. In addition, it can make you a better leader or help you to land that promotion you’ve been wanting. However, because impression management is dependent on other people’s backgrounds, experiences and standards, it is full of uncertainty. What is considered acceptable in one social circle may be taboo in another. For this reason, there are risks associated with impression management. These include: Self-consciousness. The number one risk of impression management is becoming overly concerned over how others perceive you . It can increase self-consciousness. So much so that it could be damaging to your mental and physical health. Imposter syndrome. Faking it ‘til you make it can lend credence to certain behaviors or actions that don’t come naturally to you. However, it can manifest in imposter syndrome, particularly when there’s an expectation of skills, expertise or values you don’t possess. Inconsistency, inauthenticity or manipulation. Compliments may be perceived as flattery. Exaggerating your achievements may be perceived as boasting or even deceptive. If others notice behaviors or skill levels that vary greatly from one situation to another, you risk appearing as a social chameleon. This can damage your reputation in more than one social circle. Why digital coaching is the key to your company’s growth strategy Download the white paper Strategies of impression management If you’re seeking to improve the perception others have of you, you’ll need to develop the following characteristics or attributes: Self-awareness. In order to master self-presentation, one needs to first be aware of the impact we have on others. To maintain authenticity, it’s essential to have a defined sense of self – values, priorities, goals, etc. – to avoid becoming someone who just goes along with the crowd. Self-control. In addition to self-awareness, you need to practice emotional intelligence and self-control. You’ll want to monitor what you say as well as what you communicate with your body language and your actions. Etiquette rules and social norms. There is a wide range of social rules and acceptable behaviors for various social situations. Before you attempt to practice self-presentation to match a social or business situation, first learn what those are. Perception. You must learn to read social cues – read the room, so to speak – and get to know the individuals and groups you interact with in order to understand what behaviors trespass on social norms, etiquette rules and even personal boundaries. Professional coaching can help you with impression management If you don’t have the above attributes or you need help managing how others perceive you, you can still engage in impression management. Coaching can help. Professional coaching can help you develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence. A coach can teach you how to manage your persona, thrive in social situations and understand the behaviors of others. Uncover the benefits of coaching Discover CoachHub Share Share Discover our categories DEI Employee Experience & Well-being Organizational Transformation Performance & Talent management Professional coaching Read more about:Professional coaching Benefits and ROI The Strategic Value of Business Coaching in Driving Innovation and Growth Defining Metrics and KPIs to Measure the Effectiveness of Coaching Crunching the Numbers: How Digital Coaching Transforms Businesses with Measurable ROI The Benefit of Coaching on Career Development Harnessing soft skills Breaking the Ice: How to Start a Conversation with Strangers External Relationship Management for Workplace Leaders From the Breakroom to the Boardroom: Understanding Code Switching at Work The 13 Benefits of Networking and How to Do It Right How to Deal With Difficult Employees and Their Disruptive Behavior Innovating with digital Measure, Adapt, Succeed: Unleashing the Power of CoachHub Feedback Haven’t Switched to Digital Coaching Yet? Here’s What You’re Missing Is It Time To Embrace the Technology Transformation of Coaching? What is virtual coaching and how does it work? The 10 Most Popular Coaching Exercises in Digital Coaching Self awereness & introspection The Five Essential Components of Emotional Intelligence for Workplace Success Breaking Free from the Fear of Success: Your Guide to Unleashing Your Full Potential The Business Cost of Fundamental Attribution Error: Why It Matters in Decision-Making The Art of Shadow Work: Unlocking Your True Potential Through Self-Exploration Unleash Your Passion: How to Identify and Pursue Your Vocation The coach community From Code to Career: Coaching’s Impact on Tech Teams’ Performance and Career Development The Ultimate Guide on Coaching Accreditation How to become a coach: The ultimate 9-step guide How To Find the Perfect Coach: A Proven 8-Step Guide, Backed by 20 Years of Research The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Business Coach Understanding coaching Personalizing your Coaching Program: How to Drive Impact with CoachHub’s Coaching Framework Top Qualities of an Effective Leadership Coach Breaking Down the Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring Why You Need Business Coaching Systemic coaching: What is it and how does it differ from other forms? Last Articles Measure, Adapt, Succeed: Unleashing the Power of CoachHub Feedback Fostering a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Coaching for Lean Management Personalizing your Coaching Program: How to Drive Impact with CoachHub’s Coaching Framework Client success story TDK Electronics takes development to another level with CoachHub Learn how What to read next By CoachHub 25 September 2024 Measure, Adapt, Succeed: Unleashing the Power of CoachHub Feedback Find Out More By CoachHub 30 August 2024 Fostering a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Coaching for Lean Management Find Out More By CoachHub 6 August 2024 Personalizing your Coaching Program: How to Drive Impact with CoachHub’s Coaching Framework Find Out More Want to learn how CoachHub can work for your business? Request a demo now to learn more about the CoachHub digital coaching platform. Request demo