You are What You Project
You have only a few seconds to make a good first impression.
Packaging matters in the workplace, and you are a package. The image you project influences the way others perceive you. Everything about you from your shoes to your hairstyle to your watch communicates some kind of message.
An episode from Bones (”Judas on a Pole”) provides is a great example of how Zack Addy isn’t aware of the importance of image as part of his personal brand.
The Episode in a Nutshell
- As Dr. Brennan’s student and assistant, Zack’s is one of the brightest up-and-coming scientists at the Jeffersonian Institute, but his boss Camille Saroyan, the Head of the Forensic Division, tells him she can’t promote him because he looks like a weekend fill-in at a college radio station.
- Zack asks his coworker, Angela Montenegro for help, and after refining his professional image with a new hair cut, new suit, and new shoes, Camille hires Zack.
A personal brand is a commitment that you make, a promise to people who do business with you. It represents all the things you stand for, your values and attitudes. Your clothes are part of your package so create a look that’s consistent with the position and goals you’re trying to attain.
But your “look” also includes the way you move and the way you talk. Develop a consistent image, and make the most of your natural attributes (your eyes, your hair, etc.).
Bottom line: you are the image your project. Choose wisely.
