September Newsletter – You are Always Making a Statement
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You make a statement everyday with your image alone…
Do you know what kind of statement you are making?
Truth is, this is a visual world and you are making a statement, no matter what.
What separates you from your competition? If nobody sees your resume, your image determines your first impression.
Does your image inspire YOU, your husband or wife, your friends, colleagues and children?
Does your image say success, trust, competence, respect, confidence, intelligence, joy?
I have enjoyed a busy summer of meeting with individuals and companies, sharing the value of fashion, style and creating a Professional or Personal Brand that says something about what a company believes or a person wants to share. In a recent seminar I conducted, it was suggested that not everyone needs to dress in a manner that makes a statement. In fact, some would suggest that image means nothing, and to think about your image is only to cater to a superficial world based on looks and not more important values such as integrity, justice and quality of life. Truth is, this is a visual world and you are making a statement, no matter what. Human beings form opinions based on what we see and hear, and to suggest anything less is to be dishonest with ourselves. For example; if I say the color GREEN, you already see the color in your mind, just as if I say the color RED, you already see red no matter how much you try to make your mind see another color. The same is true about our image.
What if I told you that the pictures you see below were the offices of two successful accountants
and you had to hire one based only on what you SEE.
Clearly, image matters. You would ASSUME that the person who worked at the organized desk was more competent and you might even ‘trust’ them more – the same is true for our image. I had someone tell me that image was not important for a person in the construction business. If this is true, then a construction worker can dress in any attire and still make the same statement as any other construction worker, right? Wrong. When we apply this thought to its practical application, we find that the construction worker who does not care about his or her appearance is indeed helping others form an opinion about them and opinions that are most likely negative which hurt their income, future, reputation and so on.
Let’s work through this scenario: Two workers show up for work and they both work with mud and concrete.
The first one has on clothes that are stained and certainly fit the occupation, but they are as clean as they can be and FIT properly, the shirt is properly tucked in or buttoned up, their hair is clean and combed and their shoes are not neglected.
The second appears with holes in their pants, shoes are dirty and not taken care of, and their shirt is dirty and sloppily hanging on their body.
Which one would you hire based upon image alone? Better yet, which would you feel is more concerned with details and has a sense of respect not only for themselves, but for you as their client and in the work they will perform?
Now once the work has begun, you may find that the second worker actually does more complete work and is the better employee. I can assure you, no image that can take place of performance, but that is not the issue. The issue is; which worker gave you a better first impression? The sad fact is that the second may not have been hired EVEN THOUGH HE OR SHE HAD MORE EXPERIENCE AND WAS BETTER FOR THE JOB. So in today’s competitive world, who stands the better chance of success? The person who cares about their image and does a great job, or the person who does a great job but could care less about their image? You see, sometimes we dress down or say image is not important for our industry, but in reality, our image can turn out to be the most important factor. The very fact you choose to care less about your image does indeed make a statement. The statement says, “I do not care how about I look or what you think of me.” Or in the case of this particular seminar, you are saying that an entire industry is not worthy of looking good because their work does not require a better looking image.
Saying I don’t care how I look’ is dangerous, personally and professionally.
- It is difficult to make up for a bad first impression.
- When you look good, you feel good and you produce greater results.
- A poor image can hurt others trust not only in you as a person but also in your ability.
- People may choose to work with others who are less qualified simply because they are perceived to be more competent.
- You might be the best at what you do – but many people will never have the privilege of working wtih you becuase you do not represent yourself in the best way possible.
We are ALWAYS making a statement when we dress for work, leisure or play. The question comes down to this…What kind of statement are you making? I believe you should always strive to make a statement that counts and one that says you care not only for yourself, but for others.
I am here to help you create the statement that you want to make, every time you walk into a room. Fall is the perfect time to rethink your image, wardrobe or personal brand. I would be honored to help you. Consultations are always complimentary.
Warmest,
Mila
Image | Brand | Fashion
info@modaimageconsulting.com | www.ModaImageConsulting.com
Direct: (615) 218.6831 | Office: (615) 567.6969
Consultations are always complimentary!