WARNING ON FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 17

WARNING ON FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Women may go by first impressions, but never top German secretaries. A psychologist who takes part in training secretaries for the Dusseldorf Chamber of Commerce recently set a trap for his class to prove the point.

He showed them two pictures of young men on a screen and asked them to describe the characters from their impressions. The first man looked irascible, intelligent, false, almost criminally-inclined. The second looked phlegmatic, not very intelligent, honest and kind-hearted. Then both men were shown together on the screen and it was explained that they were the same person. The pictures had been taken at different times under different circumstances.

The self-confidence of the trainees suffered a severe shock, says the German newspaper “Handelsblatt.” Indirect Influence

The modern German secretary is being trained to master the art of indirect influence. Special courses concentrate on acquainting girls with psychological and sociological problems they will have to deal with in their work.

The kind of secretary required by top German executives todav must not only know the official organisation of a firm, but also its unofficial structure.

She must know about the different relationships and intrigues that go on behind the scenes. She needs a good allround education, discretion, tact and good manners as well as her professional qualifications. She must always be well informed about important events inside and outside the firm. This means she must understand human nature. To meet today’s requirements she must also be adaptable, able to mediate. She must look cultured and must be able to represent her boss in his absence. Above all, she must adapt herself to his mentality and mood — but under no circumstances be influenced by them, the article says.