Written on the 22 April 2008 by Rachel Quilty of Jump the Q.
Regardless of the politics, party platform or policy ...
women have the privilege of witnessing history in making. Never in the western world have women in politics been so prevalent, persuasive or so powerful. It is exciting to follow the campaign trail of Hillary Clinton, the incredible job being performed by Anna Bligh as Qld Premiere, the trusted colleague and confidante of the Prime Minister and 2IC Julia Gillard, and history making first female Governor- General, Quentin Bryce.
These women are incredible role models for women around the world. No networking event is complete without a business women discussing the accolades and often the image of these women.
Image management is vitally important in today’s business world. Improving your image is an investment in building your personal profile, reputation and the results you will achieve. And deserve to achieve.
Let’s face it these women are highly successful at managing their image, careers and families and can be forgiven the occasional error in choices.
Five essential business lessons can be learnt from these women to support your authority and credibility in the workplace:-
1. Your image and personal branding are critical to your perceived ability.
According to psychologist, sixty-seven per cent of first impressions are accurate. Your image should reflect your abilities and potential.
The right image can:
• help you achieve your goals
• improve your professionalism
• improve your communication and persuasiveness
• increase your confidence and effectiveness
• earn you success and respect.
The right brand image strengthens your message and reputation. Often people’s abilities and achievements are overlook when a distraction is provided. As Coco Chanel proposed, “If a woman is poorly dressed you notice the clothes. If she is impeccably dressed you notice the women.”
2. Your personal image can not be separated from your professional image.
People judge you firstly by what you wear, then by how you speak, and then by the words you say.
In thirty seconds you have made a lasting impression, and 55 per cent of that impression is made up of non-verbal communication. You don’t have to say word.
As they say, ‘An ounce of image is worth a tonne of performance.’ You can express your potential quietly and effectively without saying a word.
3. Personal success relies largely on our ability to communicate. It is well known that the more presentable the appearance, the more persuasive it is.
In those first 6 seconds judgements are made:
• If you are liked
• If you are trusted
• If people want to do business with you or spend time with you.
Statistics show that people who are bright, verbal and attractive make more money and are more successful than those who aren’t. It’s as much about image and manner as it is about beauty.
4. When you have a positive personal brand, you are attributed with other positive sills and abilities. This is known as the Halo effect. For example if you look confident, you will be perceived as competent and intelligent. You will be professional and provide excellent service and quality outcomes. People are willing to accept your views and will question you less.
If you have an excellent brand, reputation and references you will be:-
• Promoted quicker
• Afforded more authority and respect
• Your suggestions will be given more weight
It is a clever person who takes advantage of this psychological phenomena.
5. For professional success you must manage your total image, this broadly comprises of your performance, presentation, attitude, communication skills and reputation. These are the vital areas of ‘ image’ from which we are all judged.
Your leading attribute is your personal image. What people see is what they expect to get. The best personal brand is determined more by what your audience or clients expect to see and what positions you favourably in their mind then just looking professional. What is your signature style and what will brand you as professional, individual and credible? Importantly, style is less about size than it is an attitude.
Becoming your own unique brand is essential! As Judy Garland said, ‘Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else’.
Rachel Quilty, an internationally accredited Image Consultant and General Manger of Jump the Q, a Professional Image Consulting and Executive Finishing School offers these five techniques to ensure your capture the right attention.
1. Your professional work wear should be simple and classic designed to complement your body shape and personal colouring. There is no better time than this winter to reinvent your professional image. The current winter trends are classic, elegant and ideal professional work wear.
2. Colour is incredibly important. Darker colours are consistent with professionalism, authority and credibly. Light colours draw attention and can be considered more ying or feminie. Recognising the impact psychologically of colour can make a tremendous difference in how you are perceived. Ensure a credible and professional image that supports your position of authority by selecting darker core garments and suits.
3. Consider the colour contrast when co-ordinating your outfit. Dark colours teamed with dark colours or light with light are low contrast while elegant and sophisticated they can be deemed ineffectual, matronly and often blend into the background. High contrast colours such as red and black, purple and yellow are attention seeking, fun and frivolous. While medium contrast builds rapport, and is deemed the most friendly and approachable of the colour combinations. For example navy and sky blue, charcoal and purple, black and teal are high presence co-ordinates which remain professional. Hillary Clinton’s selections has been very good.
4. Make a statement with some bold colour or brand yourself with your personal best colours. Elect to get noticed with a signature colour overcoat as seen with Hillary Clinton and Carla Bruni recently. These should be teamed over styles which elongate the body and give the slimming illusion of height and authority.
5. With experience comes competence, however the balance of careers, profile and family can be draining. Wearing whites, creams and very dark colours around your face can drain your colour making you appear tired, stressed and detract from our abilities. Add vitality and youthfulness to your appearance by wearing your best personal colours. When you look good, you feel good and you do ‘good’.
And no brand or reputation is managed successful without delivering quality customer service and products. Always deliver what you promise and exceed expectations.
Fortunately for these women that’s not a problem.
Your professional image are so important, Jump the Q, Australia's only Professional Image Consulting and Executive Finishing School, has created a number of services to refine your professional image.
Invest in your image with:
- Professional image development courses
- Building your professional image course
- Leveraging your professional profile course
- Gain the professional edge workshop
- personal grooming and development courses
- business consulting services and in house presentations
- personal colour and style consultations
We can assist you update your professional image and maximise your potential.
More information available:
Brand yourself with Jump the Q
Call 1300 655 755 or email
Subscribe to our enewsletter at http://www.jumptheq.com.au
FREE ebook ‘ Make your mark. 101 image tips for professionals.’
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Brand Yourself! And Jump the Q! Your personal brand should reflect your abilities and potential. Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist, known as ‘the Authority’ on personal branding and author of must- have book ‘Brand Yourself’. Go to http://www.JumptheQ.com.au for FREE strategic branding tips. Rachel encourages Jump the Q clients to think strategically when developing a personal brand to get that job offer, gain that promotion or win that client.
Jump the Q assists you to strategically and systematically leverage your professional profile and build your personal brand to become the authority in your industry. Get your free personal branding tactics and tips at http://www.brandyourselfblueprint.com
We assist you to develop your Personal Brand Strategy by:
- Discovering your purpose.
- Designing your best personal brand.
- Devising a personal marketing plan.
- Developing your Signature Brand.
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