In watching the continuing coverage of Michael Jackson’s
death, we were struck by his attire when he went to meet
with President Reagan. True to his image, the King of
Pop wore a sparkling captain’s outfit that made him look
like a star from a jazzy revival of “The Pirates of
Penzance”.
But if you want to dress for success, you probably
shouldn’t take your cue from Michael Jackson. Unlike MJ,
you want to dress in a way that doesn’t draw attention.
If you’re proposing a new distribution system, you don’t
want the audience thinking “those are the most colorful
pants I’ve ever seen.”
With that in mind, to ensure that your message stands
out, make sure that your attire blends in. We tell our
clients to dress one step above the audience. If
everyone is wearing golf-course casual, then you should
throw on a blazer.
Of course, what you wear depends a lot on your body
type, your personal taste, and your industry.
Here are a few keys to keep in mind.
-
Select apparel,
fragrances, jewelry, hairstyle, etc. that do not
detract from your professional image.
-
Make sure your hair
is clean, neat and professionally styled. Avoid styles
that cover over more than your forehead or one that
you have to brush back.
-
Remove facial and
body piercings other than single ear jewelry.
-
Visible tattoos
should be covered to avoid distraction.
-
Apparel should be
clean and neatly pressed.
-
Apparel should fit
well and remain in place while sitting and/or walking.
-
Choose professional
apparel that you like for which you receive positive
feedback from people who are knowledgeable about the
industry standard or specific company policy.
-
Keep your look simple
and successful.
At Speechworks we help our clients learn how to
communicate in a way that connects and persuades. If
you’re interested in becoming a great communicator give
us a call at 404-266-0888 or check out our website at
www.speechworks.net. |
