Your Style: What are you visually communicating?

A few weeks ago, I was scheduled to host a client for a late lunch at Hillstone restaurant in New York City. In response to my reservation, I received the following text from the restaurant:

I immediately had two responses - pleasant surprise and hesitant resignation. First, I’m delighted that companies still care about, establish, and uphold their appearance standards. This text reinforced that I’d chosen a place that would reflect well on me, which is always a priority. It was also clear that this environment required professionalism and would reflect a certain standard of decorum. In turn, I was confident that our client, Columbia University, would feel comfortable in this setting, which meant I could now keep my focus on the more important aspects of building rapport and business.

The second thought was, do people really have to be reminded to be appropriate in their appearance...or their actions, responses, or writing? 

This got me thinking, a first impression often becomes the only impression. What if we never receive a “heads-up” text to help us navigate a situation or interaction? How can we be assured that the actions we take and the decisions we make will support and progress our success? How can we know and be confident that we’re representing ourselves in ways that allow others to form positive perceptions of us, if we never get the cheat sheet for how to distinguish ourselves? 

Whether fashion standards, workplace guidelines, or a colleague’s communication style, the key is to listen, observe, establish your code of conduct, and know how your preferences, and brand, fit in with the bigger picture of your organization, interactions, and professional aspirations. Capitalize on every opportunity to increase your self-awareness - and be ready to modify and make choices around what’s going to best support your success. Think about whether your preferences and choices are in your highest and greatest good - and if not, be agile.

Ask yourself, what am I visually communicating…or conveying through my actions, responses, and writing - and does it leave the lasting impression on others that I want?

Sometimes in the midst of busy schedules and endless to-do lists, we catch ourselves reacting compulsively vs responding consciously. 

In this video, I share how reacting compulsively could be undermining to our success, and what we can do to be more present and conscious with those around us. This is especially important when we're surrounded by colleagues who we are meeting for the first time, and would like to leave a positive, lasting impression on. Click here to uncover the key to reacting to situations in a credible, professional manner.

ABOUT LAURA KATEN

Laura Katen is the Founder/President of KATEN CONSULTING, a NY-based professional development training company that specializes in 4 core areas: Executive Presence, Communication, Presentation Strategies, and Business & Social Etiquette. KATEN CONSULTING is a 100% Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), facilitating Keynote Talks, Group Programs, and One-On-One Coaching Sessions. Laura is a published author of two books, How to Communicate With Confidence, Clarity, and Credibility, and The Communication Habit: Strategies That Set You Apart and Leave a Lasting Impression ? McGraw Hill