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Conversations in Management

Christmas 2004

And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.

Quick! Who do you think is being described? Obviously, it is someone of great generosity, compassion and selflessness. Perhaps Santa Claus himself!

It might surprise you to learn that the man who became legendary by “keeping Christmas well,” is none other than Ebenezer Scrooge! It’s true; by the last page of Charles Dickens’s, A Christmas Carol, miserly, misanthropic, irascible Scrooge has been transformed into nothing less than a saint with a sense of humor. How then can it be, that today this man’s name is synonymous with the very character traits he so successfully overcame?

Unfortunately for Scrooge, first impressions last. Folks who study such things tell us that our initial impression of someone is formed in about 10 seconds. After that, people unconsciously look for behavior that confirms their first impression. It’s not surprising then, that a first impression is hard to shake—particularly a negative one. Unless you’re a hermit, this is a dynamic you shouldn’t ignore. Not only do your immediate co-workers and customers develop an impression of you, but there is a wider group of people who form strong impressions with only an indirect knowledge of you. If you aren’t careful you can find yourself with a bad reputation that has the half life of plutonium.

This time of year gives us a good opportunity to reflect on the things we do that might create a poor impression. If you treat people rudely or indifferently; if you easily flash anger; if you constantly find fault or too often rely on sarcasm, you’re doing the kinds of things that hurt not only you, but your whole organization as well. Scrooge’s nephew Fred tells us that, “…Christmas is a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.” Let this spirit inspire your new year. Don’t let first impressions just happen. Manage them carefully so that people see you at your best. Commit to a Scrooge-free 2005!

—Ebert