"Your Image"
The Missing Ingredient
ny Image Consultant Sandy Dumont
Tidewater Women/October 2004Back to main list

Have you ever been treated with less respect than you think you deserve? Have people ever wasted your time? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be surprised to learn that it may have something to do with image.

We are all busier than ever. Emails, newsletters, chores, bills, and our jobs demand more and more of our time. As a result, we become particularly annoyed when our time is wasted. "Can't they see I'm in a hurry?" we grumble. But everyone else is in a hurry, too, so why should you be given deferential treatment? Maybe you are secretly thinking, "Don't they know I've got important things to do? Much more important things that those other people, I'm sure."

The problem may be that your image doesn't suggest that you are important. Think about it, if you saw a distinguished-looking business professional who was obviously an important person, would you keep him or her waiting? Would you be disrespectful? Chances are, you wouldn't. Image consultant's tip: We treat important people with more respect, and they are often given deference in terms of service. What to be treated like a V.I.P.? Then change your image. It could be that the missing ingredient is right there in your closet! And it's not your comfy Bermuda shorts or jogging suit. My clients report that changing their image results in "overnight" and dramatic differences in the way they are treated at the grocery store, the drugstore, and the hardware store-not just at the office. They are suddenly given deferential treatment and increased respect. In a sense, they are "noticed" instead of getting the "robot" treatment.

So, what will make it immediately obvious to others that you are important and shouldn't be kept waiting? Here are the basic Image Consultant Tips:
. Look as polished and professional as possible - from head to toe.
. Messy hair, in particular, will prevent you from looking polished.
. Wear authoritative or bold clothing and colors. Darker colors give more authority, for example, than pale colors; and stylish-looking suits immediately suggest clout.
. Women: wear bolder earrings and other accessories. But remember, you want to look like you are going to a board meeting rather than a bridge game.
. Stand tall and erect. Good posture implies that you are a person of "stature."

Image consultant's tip: Before venturing out to the grocery store, don't go in your usual jeans and T-shirt. Instead, put on your best face and your best suit and see what happens. Going on a business trip? Don't wear your usual jogging attire. Instead, dress up as if you were going straight to the office and see what happens. I always get superb service when I'm "dressed" and get totally ignored when I'm dress for "comfort." On a recent overseas flight, I asked the flight attendant for a glass of champagne, and she advised that it was not available in tourist class. Then, she immediately re-considered and said, "Wait just a minute. I'll get you some from first class." She brought me not one, but two, glasses of champagne, and I can only assume she thought I looked important enough to have my request fulfilled!

What wish would you like to have fulfilled?

Sandy Dumont, THE Image Architect is an image consultant and professional speaker based in Norfolk, Virginia, with 30 years of international and national experience helping individuals and Fortune 500 companies improve their image. She conducts customized Branding for People™ image workshops on a regular basis.
For more information, visit www.theimagearchitect.com or call 757/627-6669.

by Sandy Dumont, THE Image Architect © 2004
Originally published in Tidewater Women, October 2004

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