Your Image: A Game of Influence

By Sandy Dumont

There are three centers of influence in the U.S. The first is New York, home of the powerful financial center, Wall Street and international banks. Second: Washington, the political center of influence. The third great center of influence is Hollywood, whose influence reaches far beyond the big screen. Rock stars and some celebrity athletes and fashion models are included in this category of powerful influencers.

Hollywood is the only group that can afford to look very, very sexy and outrageous. It goes with the territory. Not all forms of influence are positive, and some stars do their fans an injustice with their outrageous behavior and appearance. Politicians and bankers who land in jail will find their careers ruined. Not so with celebrities. As long as you remain “beautiful” you are forgiven. In fact, most of us are secretly attracted to the “bad boys” and “bad girls” of Hollywood. It’s another story for politicians and business people. Being attractive may get you elected, but it won’t get you out of jail.

If you’re a serious business professional or politician, these attributes will help you:

• An image that conveys immediate credibility and trust.

• “Executive presence” that says you are an expert and a leader in your field.

• Charm and charisma. If you weren’t born with these attributes, make every effort to develop them.

• An attractive appearance. There are no unattractive people, only those who haven’t learned how to look attractive. In addition, make sure you know the difference between being “overtly” and “covertly” sexy. The former is the kiss of death outside Hollywood, and the latter is the icing on the cake in terms of your image – and it has nothing to do with Hollywood glamour.

If you’re in the financial services sector, your dress code is much more rigid than that of politicians, sales managers, business executives and CEOs. Stick to white shirts, dark suits and power ties. You’re the only one who doesn’t look severe in pinstripe suits, because it says you’re a member of the “tribe” – and the tribe appreciates the resemblance between ledger sheets and all those long “columnar” stripes seen on pinstripe suits. Outside the tribe you’ll look like Mr. Stiff Suit, so keep that in mind. So what does it mean to be “covertly sexy?” Here are the guidelines:

Covertly Sexy:

• A man’s dark, well-tailored business suit is innately sexy. It makes a man’s shoulders look broad and his torso look slim, while the dark color from head to toe makes him appear taller and slimmer. Add a red power tie and you’ve just increased your sexiness ten-fold. For financial services arena, make that tie a dark red or a burgundy. According to university studies, a high status look attracts females in all of the animal kingdom, not just humans; and red is sexy personified in color psychology.

• Women have endless possibilities in terms of items that are covertly sexy. Just take lips, hair and eyes for a start. Of course, not all hair is sexy and alluring, only those locks that look healthy, radiant and stylish. Some religions require head scarves so that a long, gleaming head of lustrous hair doesn’t become so irresistible that it can corrupt. As for lips, there is nothing more alluring than full, pouty lips that are rich with color. Smoky eyes also draw others in irresistibly, just as Mona Lisa’s smoky eyes do. Lastly, a woman’s hourglass shape is innately sexy, as are the shape of her legs. A skirted suit that is tailored is both commanding and covertly sexy. A baggy “daddy jacket” and mid-calf skirt lowers credibility as well as your perceived attractiveness.

Avoid at All Costs:

• Khakis. They look baggy and make a man look sloppy and heavier. Most women dislike them.

• Polos. Unlike dress shirts with their built in epaulets, polo shirts are limp and make the shoulders look sloping, so you look weary, especially in drab colors.

• Drab colors. They make you appear tired and even older. This includes olive green, drab shades of brown and burgundy, mustard and slate blue.

• Five-inch heels. They cause you to walk precariously, and it’s not an asset in business. Gladiator styles aren’t even remotely attractive, since they cover most of the foot, making the legs appear shorter and even stubby.

• Mid-calf and ankle-length skirts. They make you appear “weighed down” by their length and create a long, severe line.

What kind of influencer are you? You can increase both your power and your ability to influence if you know the rules of the game when it comes to image.

Read other articles and learn more about Sandy Dumont.

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