I must log this Little Trick under a heading called “The Ignored Obvious.” You would think everyone would do it every time they entered a room full of people. Yet in all my years of speaking for groups, I’ve seldom noticed anyone consciously performing Little Trick #17.
Friends usually sit together in a seminar, so here I’m addressing participants who enter alone. If the first arrival sits in, say, the right rear of the room, the next arrival sits in the left front. The next in the left rear, and so on. Each sits as far from the other participants as possible until all the seats are filled.
During the break in singles’ seminars, I often notice a male audience member eyeing a female across the room or vice versa. Now, unless one of them is blessed with that rare quality called complete confidence, they are never going to converse. If only one had chosen a chair next to the other, however, sparks could have ignited.
Ditto in corporate programs. Employees must know the advantage of sitting next to a big cat in their own company—or anyone else in the corporation or industry who could be important to them. But what surprises me is that I never see a participant walk in ten minutes early and wait by the wall to see where other people are sitting before choosing a chair.
Here’s the plan: Be among the first to arrive at a large industry, company, or social presentation. However, do not choose your seat—yet. Stand at the side of the room and eyeball everyone who comes in. When you see your target person, pretend the music just stopped in a game of musical chairs. Sprint to the seat next to Mr. or Ms. Opportunity.
Little Trick #17
Hover Around to See Where They Sit First
If you are seeking any important alliance, arrive early at the gathering and hover around the sides like a helicopter. Then, when you spot that important someone, make a speedy landing in the seat right next to him.
Keep your bodily parking spot in mind whatever you are searching for. Where you deposit your bottom can change your bottom line.
In the first seventeen Little Tricks, we’ve covered everything from making strong eye contact to playing it cool when necessary.
Using the previous seventeen Little Tricks will give people a great first impression of you. But how can you make sure it will last? Read on.