 Dear :
I had a very interesting debate this past month which prompted me to choose this topic. An individual in one of my training sessions made the comment: "Leadership isn't about what you look like."
True or not? I can only tell you that I have a significantly higher likelihood of following someone who LOOKS like they have the capacity to lead me, rather than someone who doesn't.
Fair? Probably not. Human nature? Absolutely. And even more fundamental - if someone isn't smart enough to KNOW that, what else are they missing? In my opinion, this type of thinking reminds me of my children, who in the course of growing up, would argue that "wrinkles don't matter", and "my friends should like me for who I am".
Some of the tips in this newsletter you will like; others you may disagree with. I covet your thoughts and experiences, and encourage you to let me know what you think.
If you have time, I encourage you to TAKE THIS SURVEY and I'll share the results with you next month. It's only 8 multiple-choice questions.
Sarah Zink
P.S. Are you writing a newsletter and need some "snippets" of information? You are welcome to quote anything in this e-zine, provided you give appropriate credit.
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Your image isn't just what you wear - your posture sends a message as a leader.
When your mom kept saying "Stand up straight", she had a point. Strong posture gives power. Whether standing or sitting, position yourself upright. Shoulders are back and head is straight. Feet are on the floor and your energy pulls up from the ground.
Leaning or cocking your head to the side will make you look less centered and therefore less authoritative. The farther you get away from the vertical, the less strong you look. | |
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Dress for the Occasion!
Dress for the occasion - and if the occasion is business - dress as if you mean business. Like it or not, people will form opinions and gauge your ability to focus attention on details based on how you dress.
- Is your office a casual office? - just because you are allowed to wear jeans at work doesn't mean you should. Would khaki pants serve the same function? If you still choose to wear jeans, make sure they are clean and don't look as if you slept in them.
- Do you work at home? - working from home isn't a license to be a slob. I would say that the same rules apply - be clean, be neat, and be well-groomed.
- Head, Hands and Feet - Whether you are meeting someone for the first time or the tenth, you innately look at three things: a person's hair, their hands and their feet. Make sure your hair is clean and neat, your hands are clean and well-groomed, and your shoes are appropriate for your clothing. For men: Laces with suits, loafers for casual, and tennis shoes for athletics or home. For women: the higher the heel and the more skin you show, the less professional you appear.
- Makeup Matters - studies done in 1993, 1997 and 2001 show that women who wear makeup are 20 to 30% more successful. WHY? Because it shows an attention to detail, to "polishing off" a look.
- Color, Cut and Style - and I'm not talking about hair. The color of your clothes send a message. Red is perceived as power, but if the cut and style is wrong, well... Black is typically an authoritative color, and Brown sends the message of stability. For the complete list of what messages colors send, click HERE. Cut is about fit - if you wonder if it's too tight, too short, or too long, it probably is. Regarding style - all I can say is be careful. I'm one of those people that sticks with classic lines because I feel as if I look like a gypsy in some of the "modern" clothes. However, I know people who look fabulous in trendy clothes. Be aware.
Final Thought: If you show that you care about yourself through proper grooming, you show self-respect and attention to detail.
Click HERE to schedule Sarah as a speaker
for your next event. |
As a leader, your voice is your "second face". The pitch of your voice, the speed at which you talk, and your tone all communicate messages that couple with the words you speak and the body language you use.
Pitch - Have you ever heard yourself speak? The higher your pitch is, the less seriously your message will be taken. We've all heard women who talk in little girl voices, and men who sound like a cousin of Mickey Mouse. What did you think about what they SAID? You were probably more focused on how they sounded. Practice speaking in the lower pitches of your vocal register.
Speed - SLOW DOWN. Your message is lost when you are speed talking, and as a leader, you can't afford that.
Tone - Monotone messages put the listener to sleep, yet if you go to the other end of the spectrum, you sound like a "pitch man". Be aware of your tone, and use it to your advantage. Speak with inflection, and consider what words to emphasize to get your message across.
If you would like Sarah to come and speak
to your group, organization or company,
please click HERE.
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