"What Does Your Image Say About You" by BJ Boone (aka Mr. Bowtie) was originally written as a LinkedIn article back in October of 2018; I'll post the link to the original at the end of the post.

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I read a quote once;  “Put even the plainest woman into a beautiful dress and unconsciously she will try to live up to it.” – Lady Duff-Gordon

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I wondered, "how can someone's outfit change their personality and how they are perceived by others". When 'you' talk about image most often we don’t think about what our image communicates to people. For example, if you see a firefighter in uniform you don’t need them to tell you they are a firefighter. You simply recognize the uniform, so image is more than just physical appearance; image can also pertain to how we communicate. Studies done by Albert Mehrabian of UCLA have found that 55% of how we communicate is non-verbal. This means that your mannerisms communicate for you without you ever saying a word. From the moment someone sees you, you are communicating to them [something]. Yet, this is only the beginning.

Body language is an important communication tool. When meeting a person for the first time, a handshake and eye contact help establish chemistry between people. Regardless of the person's gender, a handshake is a polite gesture when meeting someone. Don’t wait for others to offer their hand first - initiate the handshake. This lets people know you are strong, confident, and friendly.

Proximity, or personal space, is another aspect of non-verbal communication. People are not as comfortable with strangers being close to them. Pay attention to how others react when their space is being invaded, such as stepping back, leaning away, or avoiding physical contact. These people prefer more empty space around them to be comfortable. People who have known each other for a long period of time will be more comfortable with being close to each other. Even if you were introduced by a close associate try to gauge the comfort levels and avoid an uncomfortable or embarrassing first impression.

Conversation is a true art form and sometimes a lost one. Being able to hold an articulate conversation can draw others to you and enhance your image. It can turn a chance encounter into a business or personal relationship. Here are four important components to a good conversation.

• Grammar: When speaking you may be judged harshly if you make grammatical errors such as using “none” instead of “any” or “seen instead of “saw” Using proper grammar speaks to the intelligence of the speaker.
• Pronunciation: In addition to using the correct words, they also need to be pronounced properly. When someone hears you pronounce probably as “Probly,” or specific as “pacific,” you sound as if you are not well-educated.
• Vocabulary: A large vocabulary helps people express themselves effectively. However, if you want to appear more down to earth and "likable", it may be preferable to speak simply and directly. Using large words unnecessarily can be perceived as pretentious.
• Tone: A person’s tone can give off a comforting or an intimidating presence. It is important that you speak loudly enough to be heard and appear confident. You don’t want to be perceived as passive or shy. However, a person with a naturally loud voice can appear insensitive and domineering. It could also mean insecurity issues at play. When speaking to a crowd you want to be loud to effectively grasp the attention of everyone in the room. When speaking to a small group or person-to-person, a subtler approach is mandated.

Keep these few tips in mind when you are in a professional atmosphere. Being well groomed and dressed impeccably can give a great initial impression. That can easily be ruined by poor communication skills.

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Okay, it's Ashton writing now. Wow! I thought there were some super solid pointers in that article - wouldn't you agree? You can find the original via this link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-does-your-image-say-people-edward-bj-boone/

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Well... enough said for this week. If you missed last week's thriving career tips, you can follow the link, New Year New Career, to catch up!

#arriveandthrive

#beunapologeticallythriving

#thrivingall2019

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