Your Image Is You
Your Image Is You
The business consultant turned, deadly serious, and said, "Yes, there is no doubt about that, but… you just don't have the walk!"
The second I heard this I knew what he meant.
What's a Walk? A walk is the way you look, the way you package yourself and it says a lot about you. People see you and make snap judgments about you, just as you make snap judgments about others. This is why the way you look really matters, especially in business.
Successful people believe their success is attributable to a pattern of mutually beneficial interpersonal relationships, as much as it is due to technical skills or business knowledge. Your communication and the image you present create the first impression - often the lasting impression and form the basis of those interpersonal relationships.
First impressions are lasting impressions. But if you're like most people, you probably can't see the first impressions you,yourself are making.
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have currently." Every heard that old nugget? It may be a tired saying, but that doesn't make it less true. Even in this day of business or smart casual dress for work, your professional image will serve you well when promotions, lateral moves, choice assignments and departmental visibility are available.
Now this may be bitter medicine for some. Many claim that what they are in the inside matters more than what they look like on the outside. True. No argument there, but if you don't make a good first impression you'll rarely get a chance to demonstrate what is actually on the inside.
So, what can you do to audit your own walk? Ask one or more of your close friends if you are guilty of any of the following image deficiencies below. If so, thank them for their honesty, and immediately correct the deficient areas! Create a lasting impression by being conscious of the following:
1. Your handshake.
Don't shake with a limp wrist, sometimes called the dead fish handshake. Some think they are conveying humility by doing this. For a man this is a sign of weakness or disinterest. For a woman it is a sign that she lacks confidence. To shake hands with confidence grip the whole hand pressing the fleshy part of your hand between your thumb and index finger to the same area in their hand. Grip tightly without crushing the other hand and pump slightly 2 - 3 times. This will immediately put a positive impression in the other's mind.
2. Your clothes.
I hear consultants say, "Your clothes do not have to be expensive…" Now coming from a seasoned shopaholic allow me to tell you that it is extremely difficult to get good, respectable and decent business clothes without investing in quality. And quality costs money. Good clothes last longer and turn out to be more economical when used for the long haul. You only have to have a few quality pieces in your wardrobe if you shop smartly and mix and match appropriately. Make sure you get pieces that flatter your shape and put a professional, polished image forward. Simple lines and basic colours typically work well.
3. Your Words.
Now we're moving into the less visible qualities that define you. If you have a weak vocabulary do what you need to do to strengthen it. You must be articulate to express your ideas well and have people understand and respect you. Avoid filler words like "ah" and "um" or "blah, blah, blah" etc. And avoid using the latest slang you've picked up from your 11 year old daughter.
4. Your grooming.
Unruly hair, sideburns, three-day stubble, bad makeup, un-tucked shirt or blouse, unpolished shoes all say to people: "Can't be left alone for a second with prospective clients" - also a sign of sloppiness!
5. Your hygiene
Foul body odor, dirty fingernails, chronic bad breath - One of those things you want to ask your most trusted best friend about because (1) chances are, you can't notice it, and (2) some people won't want to hurt your feelings.
6. Your posture
People notice the way you enter a room, the way you carry yourself. Take a few deep breaths to collect yourself. Stand tall and hold your head up high. Walk with purpose and direction.
7. Your character
While it is difficult to assess the worthiness of a person's character in their first few encounters, people can sense whether the person exhibits nobility by the way they speak and most especially by the way they treat those who are below them.
Studies about people meeting reveal that most people make decisions about a new acquaintance within the first thirty seconds to two minutes of interaction. This does not give you much time to make a good impression. So remember first impressions do last and you never get a second chance to create a good first impression.
Your Image Is You - To learn more about this author, visit Louise Pope's Website.
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One of our clients, a major multinational with head offices in Sydney was in the midst of a major reorganisation. The Finance Director was retiring and the general word on the street was that the Financial Controller was first in line to take his place. A consultant was brought in. The Financial Controller talked to him and asked for his feedback. The consultant was very frank, looked him in the eye and said, "I'm sorry, I don't think you will be chosen." The Financial Controller was devastated. He said, "But I have the seniority! I have the skills! I have the qualifications and the experience! I'm the logical choice to be the next Finance Director of this company."
The business consultant turned, deadly serious, and said, "Yes, there is no doubt about that, but… you just don't have the walk!"
The second I heard this I knew what he meant.
What's a Walk? A walk is the way you look, the way you package yourself and it says a lot about you. People see you and make snap judgments about you, just as you make snap judgments about others. This is why the way you look really matters, especially in business.
Successful people believe their success is attributable to a pattern of mutually beneficial interpersonal relationships, as much as it is due to technical skills or business knowledge. Your communication and the image you present create the first impression - often the lasting impression and form the basis of those interpersonal relationships.
First impressions are lasting impressions. But if you're like most people, you probably can't see the first impressions you,yourself are making.
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have currently." Every heard that old nugget? It may be a tired saying, but that doesn't make it less true. Even in this day of business or smart casual dress for work, your professional image will serve you well when promotions, lateral moves, choice assignments and departmental visibility are available.
Now this may be bitter medicine for some. Many claim that what they are in the inside matters more than what they look like on the outside. True. No argument there, but if you don't make a good first impression you'll rarely get a chance to demonstrate what is actually on the inside.
So, what can you do to audit your own walk? Ask one or more of your close friends if you are guilty of any of the following image deficiencies below. If so, thank them for their honesty, and immediately correct the deficient areas! Create a lasting impression by being conscious of the following:
1. Your handshake.
Don't shake with a limp wrist, sometimes called the dead fish handshake. Some think they are conveying humility by doing this. For a man this is a sign of weakness or disinterest. For a woman it is a sign that she lacks confidence. To shake hands with confidence grip the whole hand pressing the fleshy part of your hand between your thumb and index finger to the same area in their hand. Grip tightly without crushing the other hand and pump slightly 2 - 3 times. This will immediately put a positive impression in the other's mind.
2. Your clothes.
I hear consultants say, "Your clothes do not have to be expensive…" Now coming from a seasoned shopaholic allow me to tell you that it is extremely difficult to get good, respectable and decent business clothes without investing in quality. And quality costs money. Good clothes last longer and turn out to be more economical when used for the long haul. You only have to have a few quality pieces in your wardrobe if you shop smartly and mix and match appropriately. Make sure you get pieces that flatter your shape and put a professional, polished image forward. Simple lines and basic colours typically work well.
3. Your Words.
Now we're moving into the less visible qualities that define you. If you have a weak vocabulary do what you need to do to strengthen it. You must be articulate to express your ideas well and have people understand and respect you. Avoid filler words like "ah" and "um" or "blah, blah, blah" etc. And avoid using the latest slang you've picked up from your 11 year old daughter.
4. Your grooming.
Unruly hair, sideburns, three-day stubble, bad makeup, un-tucked shirt or blouse, unpolished shoes all say to people: "Can't be left alone for a second with prospective clients" - also a sign of sloppiness!
5. Your hygiene
Foul body odor, dirty fingernails, chronic bad breath - One of those things you want to ask your most trusted best friend about because (1) chances are, you can't notice it, and (2) some people won't want to hurt your feelings.
6. Your posture
People notice the way you enter a room, the way you carry yourself. Take a few deep breaths to collect yourself. Stand tall and hold your head up high. Walk with purpose and direction.
7. Your character
While it is difficult to assess the worthiness of a person's character in their first few encounters, people can sense whether the person exhibits nobility by the way they speak and most especially by the way they treat those who are below them.
Studies about people meeting reveal that most people make decisions about a new acquaintance within the first thirty seconds to two minutes of interaction. This does not give you much time to make a good impression. So remember first impressions do last and you never get a second chance to create a good first impression.
Your Image Is You - To learn more about this author, visit Louise Pope's Website.
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