That Elevator Ride That Changed Everything!

That Elevator Ride That Changed Everything!

It was 8:53 AM.

Lavanya had seven minutes to reach the 23rd floor for the final round of her dream job interview. She adjusted her outfit and her hair  in the elevator’s mirrored wall, trying to look confident even as nervous thoughts swirled inside. 

Just as the doors were about to close, a woman in a crisp navy suit stepped in. Lavanya instinctively held the door open for her, nodded, and offered a polite “Good morning.” She nodded back, expression unreadable.

The ride up was awkwardly silent. Lavanya, anxious but polite, refrained from making small talk. He mentally rehearsed his elevator pitch — ironically, in the elevator.

23rd floor. Ding....

She stepped out, took a deep breath, and walked into the boardroom… only to find the same woman from the lift seated at the head of the table.

She was not the receptionist. She was Meera Arora, the Director of Strategy — and the person she’d be presenting to.

Lavanya froze for a split second. 

Had she made a good impression? 

Had she seemed too nervous? 

Too quiet?

That 60-second elevator ride had already written her prologue before he could say a word in the meeting.

So, What’s the Point?

In life, and especially in professional settings, we often assume we’ll have time to prove ourselves. That we can warm up to people. That one awkward moment won’t define us.

But reality is different.

People form impressions within the first 7 to 30 seconds of meeting you — sometimes even faster. And once that impression is made, everything else is filtered through that lens.

You may be:

Exceptionally skilled… but if you walk in looking disinterested, you’ll be remembered for your attitude.

Honest and humble… but if your body language says “closed off,” your credibility may suffer.

Nervous but capable… yet if your handshake is weak and your eye contact falters, people may assume you're unsure of your own potential.

How to Make the First 30 Seconds Count

Here’s what helps:

- Be Present – Whether it’s a meeting, an interview, or a chance encounter, don’t let your phone or anxiety distract you.

- Dress the Part – What you wear sends a message before you speak. Make sure it aligns with the situation and your personal brand.

- Mind Your Body Language – A confident stance, open gestures, and a genuine smile go a long way.

- Energy Over Eloquence – People remember how you made them feel, not the perfect script you recited.

The Result - Better luck next time!

Not because Lavanya wasn’t qualified or skilled, but because Meera later shared, “she didn’t seem confident. she didn’t take initiative even in the lift. For this role, we need someone who can hold space.”

The Real: 'Sometimes, the interview begins before you think it does'

So, the next time we meet someone — be it in an elevator, on a Zoom call, or over a coffee queue 

* First impressions don’t come with a second chance. Let's make it count.