“My Husband said he gave a powerful and vulnerable talk.
I looked him up and his photo looks cold and uninviting.”
So I did what I always seem to do these days and asked Chat GPT (Jay Fisher – this what the non-sentient body said):
This photo likely gives the impression of a confident, professional individual. The direct eye contact conveys a sense of determination and self-assurance. The well-groomed beard and neatly styled hair suggest a focus on appearance and professionalism. The neutral background and well-lit composition emphasize a polished and approachable demeanor, suitable for leadership or public-facing roles. The slight smile may add warmth and approachability while maintaining an air of seriousness.
You said:
Someone said it looked cold.
ChatGPT said:
That’s an interesting take! The “cold” impression could come from the direct gaze, lack of a big smile, and the overall serious expression. While it exudes confidence and professionalism, some might interpret the intensity or neutral tone as distant or less warm. Adding a slight upward tilt to the mouth or a softer expression could help make the photo feel more inviting without losing its strong, polished vibe.
First impressions are hard to get right. In this digital world, you can be written off pretty quickly.
I had another instance where someone said “I thought he was a real jerk, until I met him in person. And then I quite liked him.”
I’ve long lived under two guiding rules:
1. Feedback is a gift. (But be careful who gets to inform your own meaning and improvement objectives).
2. Other people’s opinion of me are none of my business. The more I try and have a positive impact, the more people I’m going to sometimes rub the wrong way.
And that’s okay. 🙂 I’m not selling ice cream so I have no chance of making everyone happy.
I’m trying to help people clarify the future they want and close the gap. That change journey is rarely comfortable.
