Be That for Which You Want to be Known

As an image consultant the first piece of advice I impart, before I even discuss professional attire with a client is--be that for which you want to be known.  Be all the core values that make you who you are and show that you are a valuable asset to your company.  When you give your very best self, you become known for that -- in all of life, not just work.   This effort starts with creating a positive first impression then goes way beyond that and becomes your lasting imprint--that for which you will be known.   It is not just the Oprahs,  Zuckerbergs, or Bransons of the world that make lasting imprints.  We all do.  We all have unique gifts that when discovered, developed and used in the best way, can leave positive and lasting imprints in our personal, professional and communal lives.  

Image is so much more than your selection of clothing. You know the colleague who is always on-the-ball, organized and sharp or the friend who is positive and energetic no matter the circumstance.  You also know the negative nay-sayers who are skeptical and critical. This is their core being at work. So when I begin work with a client, we start from the inside out.   Image is about your tone, attitude, communication style, behavior, and manners.  It is about every way you express your core values and your inner style.  It is also significantly about how you choose to represent yourself digitally. You control your message, so what do you want to say?

I ask some initial questions:  How do you want to be perceived? What do you want to be known for?  The answers are not always easy, nor are they fast-coming.  Once someone takes the time to ponder their purpose and how they want to be perceived, the focus of our work together is to develop and manage their personal brand to reflect their purpose, image and that for which they want to be known.  

There are four aspects to image development that I work on with a client: the ABCD of their image and "personal brand", including Appearance, Behavior, Communication and Digital Imprint. In this five-part blog series, I will discuss in greater detail each aspect and I'll explain why it's important to manage each of these areas. 

Next week, I will start with Appearance.  If you plan to follow this series, I'd like for you to do some soul-work/homework.  Select three words that best describe you and for which you want to be known. Next week I will explain why and how your Appearance is important in reflecting your personal brand and image. 

--Anna Hinson
"helping you express your most authentic self"
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