Digital Blink

Observations from Managing Partner Jen Prosek in the Leading in Volatile Times Newsletter.

Malcolm Gladwell argued, in his blockbuster best seller “Blink,” that people size up one another in a matter of minutes. He called these instant judgments “thin-slice” decisions: rapid, unconscious conclusions we draw from a remarkably narrow band of information. And often, as Gladwell showed, these thin-slice decisions are surprisingly accurate. As someone in the reputation management business, this made great sense to me.  So, what do people use to size one another up? In the era of large language models, I would argue that it’s going to be what AI says about you.

I am already in the habit of asking AI this kind of question before a conversation with someone I have never met. AI’s reputation analysis is pretty powerful, scraping more data sources and content than the now old-fashioned internet search. I call this phenomenon “Digital Blink.” The question for executives is – are you doing what you can to influence that “Digital Blink?” Firms like ours will focus on this for our clients. Here are a few tips:

Obsess over your Digital Blink.

Monitor it. Ask AI models to summarize you regularly. Notice what they emphasize, what they overlook, and how they morph. And be sure to run your search on multiple platforms, since they all prioritize different sources of information. What Gemini, Groc, Anthropic and ChatGPT say about a person can vary greatly.  In Blink, Gladwell shows that snap judgments are shaped by whatever information is most accessible at the moment of impression — the same is now true in digital form.

Offense is the best defense.

Gladwell famously argued that thin slices favor people who project consistency and clarity. The AI equivalent: put out consistent, positive, high-signal content. If you aren’t publishing insights, accomplishments, interviews, or thought leadership, there won’t be much for AI to “grab.” That vacuum becomes dangerous — because AI will fill it with whatever exists, not necessarily what you want.

Understand (at least) the basics of the algorithm.

What we know:

• Google’s algorithm and AI models heavily weight trusted third-party outlets.
• Media coverage, LinkedIn activity, bylined articles, and podcast appearances become your reputation training data.
• Consistency across platforms reinforces authority.
• Educate yourself — even a basic working understanding goes a long way.

Curate your “reputation ecosystem.”

• AI doesn’t read your résumé — it reads your footprint. This means that in addition to continually publishing new content, you must make sure the basics about you are up to date.  Take a fresh look at your:
• LinkedIn
• Company bio
• Google Knowledge Panel (if applicable)
• Public interviews
• Bylines
• Conference appearances

And make sure they all tell the same story. Gladwell’s research shows that contradictory first impressions create confusion — and AI behaves exactly the same way.

Own your narrative before others do.

Once an AI model sees you as X (e.g., “finance executive,” “founder,” “industry commentator”), that becomes the anchor point it reinforces. Be intentional about your anchor: what you want to be known for, the topics you want to be associated with, the language you consistently use.

If Malcom Gladwell were writing Blinkin 2025 vs. 2005, he might argue that the most important first impression you make is the one that happens before you even enter the room.

Follow Jen’s Leading in Volatile Times Newsletter on LinkedIn.