Everything Communicates!

As an Executive Communication Coach, my job is to remind clients that when presenting, everything communicates – how you look, how you sound and what you do with your body. Mary Lou Andre, a nationally recognized wardrobe, dress code and corporate image consultant, got me thinking about this after reading her excellent article: Is Hosiery History? 

Her advice on this business appropriate accessory reinforces how important clothing is in communicating respect for yourself and others. The way we present ourselves is our personal brand. The way in which we build trust and rapport with listeners is first conveyed through what we are wearing.

When you ask a group of listeners what’s the first thing they notice about the speaker, they’ll often say in unison,”How they look.” Before the speaker even opens his/her mouth, impressions are being formed about whether they are confident and project to the right level of gravitas. 

For women, this means paying attention to detail. Conveying a strong ‘executive presence’ means wearing clothing that is stylish, well-fitted and thoughtfully assembled.  When done properly, I believe it helps us “speak with confidence.”

Monica Murphy is a senior coaching partner with The Speech Improvement Company.

Author

Spread the love

Author

MORE POSTS

Unlocking the Power of Conferences: Turning Chaos into Opportunity

Conferences can be transformative experiences—places where new partnerships are forged, ideas take flight, and energy is reinvigorated. Yet, all too often, they devolve into chaotic whirlwinds of missed opportunities and scattered schedules. Ironically, the best moments often happen in the quiet corners: hallway conversations or impromptu meetups in empty banquet rooms after the main events. What if those “best parts” could become the focus instead of the afterthought? When approached as collaborative team-building opportunities rather

Spread the love

Paraphrasing: A Crucial Skill for Building Trust and Rapport

In the vast landscape of communication, the ability to paraphrase stands out as a valuable skill that often goes unnoticed. Paraphrasing involves rephrasing someone else’s words or ideas in your own words, and its importance in conversation cannot be overstated. This nuanced skill plays a pivotal role in fostering understanding, enhancing relationships, and promoting effective communication. One of the primary benefits of paraphrasing lies in its ability to ensure clarity. When conversing, it’s not uncommon

Spread the love

Speaking Successfully at a Conference Fireside Chat

A fireside chat in business is an informal yet structured conversation between a moderator and a guest speaker (or panel) at a conference, event, or corporate gathering. Unlike traditional keynote speeches or panel discussions, fireside chats are engaging, relaxed, and interactive—almost like an intimate conversation around a fireplace, which is where the term originates. Of course, speaking in this format may not always feel comfortable. Nerves can creep in between the lavalier mic, a tight

Spread the love

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?

Tell us what’s on your mind: