Image Is Everything
Do you ever wonder why some people get the great job when you know others were passed over who seem to have the same credentials? Well maybe it’s because of the image they present. Think about the image a person makes in your mind the first minute you meet them.
Image is Everything
Now you are building a solid reputation as someone who gets the job done. You work the hours it takes. You are getting noticed. Good for you!
While you are building that reputation, what else do you need to be doing?
You need to be building a visual image.
There are two parts to an image:
1. The one you have already built and that’s the reputation for getting things done.
2. The second part is the visual image. It’s as important as the first part.
Visual image is made up of three sub parts:
1. What you say
2. Your body language
3. Your appearance
What You Say
If you use crude language or you are sarcastic to others, you are shooting yourself in the foot. You have to be very careful how your verbal messages are received. A manual published by BNA Communications titled: Intent vs. Impact could apply here.
This is very important. Be sure everything you say goes through a filter in your brain that looks at the impact of what you say before you say it.
Listen to gossip, but never contribute your own. You are in HR and what you say is taken very seriously by others.
Your Body Language
What is the first thing you see when you look at most successful, well thought of people? It’s the visual image. That visual image can be very compelling.
You also need to understand that those people know exactly what kind of image they are projecting. It didn’t just happen.
They work very hard at perfecting that image. They stand straight. They do not slouch. They make visual contact with the person they are talking with. They look like they never have a bad day. You feel they are genuinely glad to see you. They listen to what you are saying. They are not looking at their BlackBerry while you are talking. What’s your body language saying?
Your Appearance
The third part of the visual image is physical. Are your clothes neat, clean and business appropriate? Does your right heel look like you are a cross-country truck driver? When was the last time you shined your shoes?
I remember one department head that always seem to have a spot on a suit she wore. The bet was how long it would take before she had it cleaned. Little things, but they are noticed.
Earrings and other accessories (this thought is likely to irritate a few people, but it is the reality of the workplace). You have to remember that the people who hold your future in their hands are likely a generation or more older than you are. They are not apt to think like you do. You have to think like they do. Six earrings in each ear, a pierced nose or eyebrow are not positive attributes. You will lose points.
Are you always wearing a Raiders or Seahawks T-shirt, are your Levi’s needing an upgrade, are you still wearing those black and white tennis shoes? Remember, you will lose points.
The unfortunate thing is you will never know that you lost points!
Being conservative is going to get you where you want to be. Forget the fringe stuff. Forget the statement stuff. If you are not willing to do that then you are not willing to do what it takes to succeed.
Let’s say time has passed and you have learned your lessons well. You have built that power base. Your networks are strong. You finally have the promotion you have worked so hard to get.
There is one final thing to remember as you accept that promotion. Make absolutely sure that when your boss offers you that promotion that you reiterate to him that you must have his backing to go anywhere in the organization to look at issues and solve problems. He has to understand that (except for him) you are the only one who can do so. You have that inherent right to go anywhere, but you need to hear that commitment from him. He will remember he made it when someone challenges your right to go through their wall.
More next time. Have a great day!
