Every company nurtures a unique culture, a culture that defines the way of live within its offices, and sets the foundation for cooperation, communication, and interpersonal relationships. While your company’s values and culture might be as flexible as they get when it comes to attire and image, you should still keep in mind that people will perceive you by the way you act, the way you dress, and even the way you smell. Most importantly, this will influence the way you perceive yourself.
That said, you shouldn’t be a people pleaser, nor should you try to fit into a predefined set of rules in hopes of blending in. No, there is a fine line between being unique and accepted, and just another stressed employee nobody notices. Here are the four tips that will help you build a thriving personal image, one that will allow you to climb the corporate ladder faster.
It all begins with the person in the mirror
We can’t start discussing the possibility of changing your attire or introducing the finer elements to your look and demeanor if you’re not already pleased with the person staring back at you in the mirror. Remember, it all starts with you and how you perceive yourself. Your confidence and self-worth represent the foundation upon which you can build a thriving business persona, an image of a leader and a go-getter who can motivate and inspire the people around them to do great things.
So, before you head out to by a new tailored suit and an expensive pair of cufflinks, be sure to spend some time with yourself. Use it map out your dreams and aspirations, figure out a way to turn them into reality, and most importantly, start believing in the person in the mirror.
Focus on the finer details to close the deal
The most important elements of your external persona are the finer details you choose to add to your appearance that will tease the senses of your colleagues. Remember, people are not just visual beings, they also respond to aromas and touch, so your persona needs to grab the attention of all of their senses.
Pay special attention to the way you smell. Your colleagues will respond to the aroma you emanate when you’re close, so if you’re wearing men’s cologne make sure that it is a scent that evokes the right emotions. The same goes for female leaders in the workplace, your scent needs to be soothing yet subtle so as to tease the senses without overpowering them. Be modest, and remember, a couple of spritzes is enough.
Learn to dress for every business occasion
Building a winning business persona means to change your demeanor and your mindset, but it also means to dress the part. There is a fine line between overdressed and stylish, so take a moment to rethink your current wardrobe.
In a nutshell, you always want to go just a tad above your company’s culture, in order to stand out at the office. Looking a tad better than everyone else is a good way to project an image of a true leader, an image of confidence and competence, and it will inspire others to start following you organically.
Master the art of interpersonal communication
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Interpersonal communication is not just about greeting people with a firm handshake and a sincere smile – it’s about your demeanor in its entirety and how you treat the people around you. If you want to project an image of a leader people will want to follow, then you need to fine-tune the way you talk, gesticulate, and address others.
In other words, you need to work on your soft skills. This will require a lot of trial and error, so be sure to practice by yourself before you engage with others. Most importantly, you need to be sincere. People will see through your disguise if you just try to put on a good act, so you will need to shift to a more altruistic mindset if you want to build a persona of a leader. Because true leaders help others thrive, and through their success they find the means to better their lives as well.
Final thoughts
Building a personal image is not something you can do overnight. People spend months and years cultivating and fine-tuning their image in order to reach certain goals, so be ready to work hard to craft the persona that will take you up on the corporate ladder. Don’t forget, though, your only chance of doing this right is to build your personal image from a place of sincerity.