Our lifestyle, relationships with others and the impact we make within our environment is determined by our personality and the aura we exude.
In these series, I will look at how you can grow your career by consciously developing what I call your ‘personal impact’ (PI).
Personal impact stands for what we refer to in the image world as the ‘ABC of self image branding.’
ABC is an acronym for ‘Appearance, Behaviour and Communication.’
Today’s article will focus on how your personal style can be used as a platform for your professional success. Image is more than your appearance; so much of how we look, what we do and say, contribute to the way we are perceived.
Casting fashion into Hades will not change the simple fact that if you are ambitious and desire a corner office, you must pay attention to your appearance, behaviour and communication skills.
Recently, I attended the 2013 annual conference of the Association of International Image Consultants, which took place at the Renaissance Hotel, Glendale Arizona, USA. I was proud to note that the Nigerian delegation received compliments on how fashionable and comported they were.
Viewed in the background of the successes already achieved by older chapters, such compliments paid to an emerging chapter like ours at such an international forum was quite gratifying. What we achieved showed what a huge difference we can make on how we are perceived and judged by simply paying attention to some simple but critical tasks.
These include choosing the right colour to match the skin tone, a slight lengthening of the skirt, tying a different knot of the tie and the quality of material, cut and fit of our outfit.
Timeless fashion is a powerful means to give an executive the air of style, class, wealth and success, no matter where he is in the world.
For many men, it may be sufficient to be dressed. However, there are no second chances in this fiercely competitive world and a small mistake in appearance can ruin your chances for success.
When we assess our personal style, what impression do we think it gives about us? Every day, I hear the complaints of jobless graduates who are chronic CV carriers; employees stagnating in one position year after year; budding entrepreneurs whose bank loan proposals failed time and time again, and masters degree and MBA graduates floating around without jobs.
The question I often ask is that: Is it that there are no jobs to offer these candidates or there isn’t enough room at the top to promote the loyal employees that have served their organisations for years?
The answer, simply, is no! Jobs are being created every day; entrepreneurs in need of skilled manpower are also springing up every day, and international businesses are opening up branches in Nigeria every day. Yet, our graduates do not get employed simply because they lack the skill; polish and the deportment that employees need to grow their career and positively add value to their organisation.
Paying a little attention to the way we look will help our self-confidence, posture and success in life.
In Africa, we say that ‘the eye eats first before the mouth.’ This adage applies to everything in the society and not just food. We are judged by the way we look. If we are not properly attired to attend a business interview, we will not be hired. If we wear jeans to a business luncheon or dinner with a client thinking it is business casual time, we will lose the contract. Opportunity, as it is often said, comes only but once. We will lose the opportunity to be impactful and to show our inner sparkle and intelligence simply because we chose the wrong attire for the right occasion.
Blaise James of Gallup Global Brand Strategy says your self-brand is integral to your career and life.
He says, “It influences your long-term strategy and development.”
Your appearance, indeed, is a reflection of both of your inner self and of your overall life values. I do not hesitate to remind my employees that their appearance and how they keep their workspace is a reflection of their inner values and belief system.
Are we seen as organised, clean and neat or as untidy and disorganised? Choosing the right clothes; keeping the nails clean; keeping the breath fresh and the work environment clean help to create a positive impression about our image. People gravitate towards those they perceive as having a good aura and a positive and an energetic charisma.
Most people are like fish out of water when it comes to assessing their image. What worked a decade ago may not work today. What is appropriate attire in the northern part of the country may not be acceptable in the South-South. Appearance intelligence will go a long way in helping you to build a sustainable career and an impactful personal brand. To re-assess your Personal Impact and Appearance Intelligence, ask those close to you what your personal style says about you.