What To Wear When....

As a new leader it is so exciting to be heading off to your first major conference.  You will be interacting with other leaders in your industry from all over the world! You are bound to be a bit nervous though also looking forward to making connections. And of course you definitely want to make a good first impression. 

If you have worked with me you know the next question is, “What are you going to wear?” Most of my clients, the men AND the women, say they haven’t even thought about it or shrug and suggest ‘something comfortable’. At this point the conversation turns to their personal brand and getting a clear understanding of how they want to present themselves as a leader to everyone they are going to meet.

Many organizations have a relaxed dress code. People in your office may know you are the boss, however people outside your office walls do not. It’s a good idea to dress in a way that demonstrates that you are the boss. Despite what you think, people will formulate an opinion just based on the way you dress. 

It may seem superficial but think about it; your outfit is the first thing people notice. If you have been thoughtful enough to dress professionally, people make the assumption that you care, you pay attention to details and you make an effort. This leads to other things they believe you will take the time to do well. It is never just about the clothes. It’s what your clothes represent!!

WARNING - Leave the jeans at home!    

BTW - clients have actually emailed me from the conference to thank me for the conversation. They had no idea that the people from the offices in Europe dressed in a suit and tie everyday. They admit that they would have been embarrassed if they attended without giving it some thought.

Remember…

Stand Out in a good way! To do so, be thoughtful of the brand impression you want to create in all situations. You can always take off the tie or jacket but you can’t add a pin stripe to your jeans! 

Don’t assume that because your office is casual that everyone around the world has the same standards. Basketball players wear shorts and jerseys on the court but when they travel it’s mandatory to wear a suit and tie to represent their level of professionalism!

Details matter! How you do one thing reflects upon how you do everything.  

Your brand is your brand in every situation. Every time you are in front of another person you have an opportunity to leave an imprint of who you are. Represent yourself wisely!

I’d love to hear your stories on how you got it right and maybe where you slipped up as it does start the conversation in learning.

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, trainer, speaker and coach. If you are interested in learning more go to: www.authenticleadersedge.com.

Looking Beyond The Clothes

Presenting yourself to create the impression you desire, before you even say a word, involves several key elements that goes beyond your clothing. You may not consciously be aware of these elements, but they definitely influence how you are perceived.

NOTE: To provide help in the clothes you wear the previous post lists five tips to keep in mind when choosing your clothes to ensure you deliver the message you intend.

Have you ever experienced being in a room full of people when one person walks in and captures your attention? Then you find yourself observing this person and feeling a bit like you want what they have. However, when you are pressed to identify what has captured your attention you’re unsure how to articulate what ‘it’ is. 

The Observation

The first thing that catches your eye is how well dressed this person is. Then you observe the ease with which this person moves around the room and engages in conversation with others. You would describe this person as confident, savvy, smart, professional, engaging and trustworthy. 

WAIT! You got all that just from observation? What you really want to pin point now is the specific behaviour this person demonstrates and what it is they are doing that you want to do.

Breaking IT Down

To make the invisible visible let's consciously breakdown the cues this person is using to stand out in a crowd so you too can apply them:

¬ Wear clothes that look good and fit well. Dress for the level of success you want. Not sure if your clothes are suited to your aspirations? Ask a trusted friend or sales person at your favourite retail store who's style you admire. Ask the right people to get the feedback that supports you.

¬ Carry yourself with confidence. That means head up and shoulders back. No one gets a thumbs up when they walk into a room looking shy or nervous with their head down and their shoulders slumped.

¬ Initiate a handshake and introduce yourself instead of waiting for others. Make sure it is a firm handshake to reflect confidence.

¬ Make eye contact when introducing yourself or in conversation with others. This is important to create a connection and build trust.

¬ Be fully present. The greatest gift you can give others is to be focused and fully committed to the conversation you are engaged in. Giving your complete attention makes others feel respected. If you are preoccupied mentally others will feel it.

¬ Approach situations with a positive attitude. Use language that is uplifting and stay open to  ideas that are discussed.

¬ Manage your energy. Showing up rested and energized makes you more appealing. People want to be around others that are positive and engaged in life. It is inspiring.

To increase the impact of your brand presence and get noticed, consider being more conscious of the seven different elements listed above.  Notice how others respond to you. Please share how implementing any of the above elements has changed the response you have get from others. 

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, trainer, speaker and coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.