The elevator door opens, and in walks the attractive, friendly colleague you barely know but would love to know better. It’s just the two of you with five more floors to go. What do you say? According to research, to make the best impression, it matters both what you say, and how you look when you say it—and authentic expression enhances anything you say.

In many of the impression management classes I teach, the emphasis is on practical guidance. Sparking interest during a short time frame requires one-liners that are appropriate, authentic, and alluring—especially when delivered with soft eye contact and a bright smile. A few relevant examples include:

After you have a split second (which is all you need) to analyze reaction and receptivity, you can move one step closer, verbally that is: “My name is Wendy; I work on the fifth floor.”

Even if those two short exchanges take up all the time you have, the two of you have moved from strangers to acquaintances. And according to research, your brief positive exchange........

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