The Mirror Of Your Mind
Before we leave for work, we usually take a good look in the mirror. The image we see tells us whether we are ready to walk out the door or if we need to do some fine tuning. Now, imagine that as you work, you have a "mental mirror," the type of mirror which shows the image you present to others.
As women dedicated to the ever-changing work world, our professional image is much more than just our appearance. It encompasses the total package we present to everyone we meet.
Let’s explore together. Use this article as a worksheet with exercises. It will be one way to discover how to keep the best professional image in your "mental mirror".
Right now, stop and ask yourself:
- How do I take full responsibility to develop my image as a professional woman?
- What am I doing to present myself as an expert in my position?
- How does my presence at work affect others?
- What are my image goals? This could include improving your confidence or having better interpersonal skills.
I’ve discovered from speaking with women that they may not dominate all fields. However, female professionals need to find ways to keep their feminine traits, while projecting an image that matches anyone in business.
Remember, the reason why your image is so important is because it can be something that distinguishes you from the crowd. Learning ways to be better accepted as a woman is one issue. The other key factor is having an image that gets you respect for who you are as a professional, regardless of gender.
Your image begins with accepting responsibility for your own development. You owe it to yourself do a self-evaluation. Remember, we need to monitor our lives and careers.
We need to monitor our image in the same way that computers monitor machinery. Each day at work you’re involved in activities where your image is put on the line. This could include making a presentation, calling a client, or going on a job interview. Each step of the way requires you to check your mental attitude and make sure it matches your outward appearance.
And while your attitude and outside appearance are important, your ultimate goal is to leave other people with a positive mental picture of you as an expert in your field. This image is created when you exhibit your strongest attributes.
Part of your strongest attributes will include your industry knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and how you react under pressure. You might be in a situation where a major mechanical failure could cause tremendous damage in minutes. If that happens, does your image project someone who has the knowledge to solve the problem without panic? Or do you have solid academic credentials, but are stressed under pressure? Your goal is to possess the attributes that work together to give you a great image. However, that’s only part of the whole picture.
The rest of the picture includes how well your thoughts are organized, the way you approach other people, and how well you "carry" yourself. How does your body reflect your inner strength? Or, if you are unsure about something, does your physical presence show weakness? Regardless of what we have been given on the outside, we can change what’s on the inside and work to bring those positive internal changes to the surface.
Professional women sometimes exhibit an internal conflict. One reason is because we think that we have to compete with men. Not true. We can still be very female and get our professional agenda across. As long as we take the approach of being in charge of our position, we’ll project a good image. This is not about acting superior or having an overbearing ego. It’s about defining who we are and sticking with it. The goal is to be taken seriously by others.
Here are some questions to ask yourself. Each question is followed with a suggestion. I hope you like my ideas. Still, your answers are more important, so please invest the time to answer them. Here we go:
1. When I look at myself through someone else’s eyes, what type of impression am I making, and what kind of appearance do I project?
As professional women, we work in various environments, in addition to our corporate workplaces; we might find ourselves at a company reception or at a trade show. While our professional expertise won’t change from environment to environment, other things will.
Let’s say we’re involved in an important market research project. When creating a survey with others in our work group, we’re going to speak precisely and analytically. However, if we’re at a party and are talking to the CEO of our company, we would not talk about market research in the same way. There’s even a chance that the subject might never come up. The goal here is to present yourself as being social in a social setting.
When business does come up socially, find ways to communicate in a social way. For example, here’s one way we could speak to that CEO: "We are making great progress with the market research project. If things continue to go well, there will be more reasons to have a party."
2. Do I really come across as articulate, persuasive, and sure of myself?
There’s one easy way to prove your knowledge without appearing over-confident or arrogant. It’s done by asking good questions. It’s a win/win way of improving your image, because when you ask questions, you are complimenting the other person. And when you ask well-crafted questions, others will realize that you know what you’re talking about. It also shows that we’re open to learning from those around us.
3. What happens when I meet someone new?
We need to act as cheerful, personable, and friendly as possible. It’s not always easy. However, first impressions can be lasting impressions. One way to help first meetings with others is to observe people from a distance to discover their communication style. If they like to be in charge of a conversation, then be prepared to do most of the listening. Or perhaps they’re introverted, and you’ll need to find ways to help them express themselves. A sure-fire technique is to greet people with a warm smile. A smile is a universal sign that gives a positive first impression.
4. How trustworthy do I appear?
Think about the importance our reputation and our reliability contribute to our image. We all work so hard to build relationships both at work and in our personal life. Therefore, if we are not consistently trustworthy, this can ruin our image. Developing a reputation for integrity can take a long time. However, our image can be damaged in minutes with one careless act.
Creating An Image Building Plan
Read the follow points, respond as requested, and start putting the ideas into practice today.
- Think of the ways your image affects your career and how you can improve it.
- Define and put in writing your immediate and long-term goals that will enhance your image. I always say that we have to look at ourselves like a product. If we were in the grocery store of life, why would someone pick us up off the shelf? Are we new and improved, repackaged? What can we do to make ourselves even better?
- List the ways your image fits, or perhaps doesn’t fit, into your company. This is not about losing your identity; rather, it’s about finding the common denominator.
- Finally, list five qualities or skills you already have that are useful and important in presenting a positive image. As you start putting this list together, you’ll be surprised at how many you have. The goal is to constantly keep the list growing.
Always be working on what I call your I.C. - image collection. Throughout the day, imagine that a photograph was taken of you at each encounter you had with another person. At the end of the day, pretend you’re putting together a photo album of all the pictures. What do you have of yourself? Is it a collection of pictures of a happy, positive, and self-assured person? Or, do you look like someone who is unsure and rough around the edges?
Your goal is to look like a diamond - firm, multi-faceted, valuable, and someone who gives off a radiant light. When you possess those attributes, you will have a priceless image.
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Andrea Nierenberg provides customized programs for sales training, customer service, and presentation skills. You can learn more about her advice at www.selfmarketing.com. Andrea is also the author of Nonstop Networking: How to Improve Your life, Luck, and Career. She can be reached at andrean@self marketing.com or at 212-980-0930.
