Did you know that your “personal brand” is what others say about you when you are not present? A personal brand encompasses everything that affects how people view you and respond to you. It communicates to the outside world the values, beliefs, goals, and deeper purpose that describe who you are. It guides your choices and represents all the unique aspects that make you who you are. This includes your personality, experiences and ambitions. In today’s blog post, I will discuss the importance of building a personal and professional brand and explain how my business etiquette classes can help increase your confidence for your next event.
Why Personal Branding?
Remember, your personal brand must positively represent your company. It will help you to:
- Build Confidence
- Earn Respect
- Enhance your Personality
- Strengthen Relationships
- Above all, Fulfill your Potential
As part of developing your brand, work to identify your passions…what are the things you most enjoy, both in your personal and professional life? This will help you identify where you want to invest your energy and the path you wish to follow.
Your Personal Brand will Help you to Build Strong Relationships in Business and other Social Situations
A powerful personal brand is as much about your audience as it is about you. Think about people you want to connect with and study what they are connected to. Remember, authenticity is a key part of personal branding, so do not think that you have to emulate someone else or erase your flaws. Being honest about who you are helps people relate to you and builds trust. Trust is a very powerful virtue in your personal brand.
Your Personal Brand Helps you Reach your Goals
In today’s competitive business world, first impressions are crucial. When you meet someone new (in real life or over the internet), you only have one second to make a positive impact.
Your Personal Brand puts you in Charge of your Digital Footprint
You must audit your digital footprint. It is time to take action to put things right. This might include asking friends to remove inappropriate posts or unflattering photos online, tightening your privacy settings or deleting old comments that are not in line with your brand values.
Your Personal Brand Strengthens your Visual Image
Your visual image is important in the business world. The company you work for should be able to review and approve all of your social media if necessary. What is done in secret can always be revealed in what you post online. Be aware, live a clean life and write clean words. Never take photos that you would not approve of if they were part of a company email.
Spend some time formulating a signature style that suits your working environment. I always wear a dress or suit when I teach and try to wear navy blue, black or white. That is my signature style.
Remember, building a personal brand for you and your company requires time and effort. It requires good behavior, a positive self-image and competence. Transparency and authenticity are essential to help you set yourself apart and ensure that your brand is consistent, clearly defined, and in line with your short- and long-term goals.
Tips for Business Attire
- No button-down shirts in sales-related jobs.
- Wear a tie, handkerchief and dark shoes.
- Dark suits: Solid-color business suits, pant suits, blazers and pressed collared shirts.
- Jewelry should be simple and minimal.
- Please refrain from using heavy perfume or body sprays with this dress code, but work to smell fresh.
- Keep a sport coat on hand at all times.
- Keep hair groomed.
Smart Casual
Clean, yet casual, clothes (not workout wear or tights). Jeans are not for the office. Stay away from trendy clothing. This dress code provides a clean, semi-formal appearance.
Business Casual
Business Casual is popular and includes slacks or dark-colored jeans with no rips or holes and knee-length skirts and blouses that are buttoned. The business casual dress code incorporates closed-toe shoes such as Oxfords, pumps or loafers. Stay away from sneakers unless they are black or navy and are dress sneakers.
Business Attire for the Professional
I recommend this option for all. Wear sport-style collared shirts with ties that are in a solid, stripe or conservative design. Jewelry should be simple and minimal.
Remember, you can never be overdressed. Dress for the job you desire, not the job you have.
Body Language Tips You Should Remember
- Eye Contact – Maintaining eye contact shows that you have confidence and will speak to a person with sincerity.
- Posture – Standing tall and straight usually indicates to others that you have confidence. It also conveys authority.
- Hand Gestures – When speaking to someone, if you have open palms, you will signal honesty to him or her. This is in contrast to clenched fists, which indicate tension.
- Facial Expressions – A genuine smile lights up the room, while a furrowed brow could indicate concern or confusion on your part.
- Personal Space – Respect the personal boundaries of others! If you invade someone’s personal space, you can make them uncomfortable.
Testimonial from a Satisfied Client
I love helping corporate teams, business professionals, children and individuals of all ages find success at school, in the workplace, at home and beyond. Below is an excerpt from a letter one of my clients sent to me.
Good morning Lisa,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
I…wanted to take a moment to thank you for the invaluable guidance you shared during our session. I left feeling more confident in being able to fit in at the event, both because of the actionable guidance as well as the confidence you gave me in who I already was. That mindset shift (and validation from an expert) really made all the difference – I didn’t feel like I was starting totally from zero, but that I was already on the right path and there awaits a whole world of refinement to continue to incorporate.
In particular, what I’ve found resonated the most was:
- Adding the lipstick to my daily work routine – it’s become a small but powerful moment of mindfulness where I consciously shift from “private” to “professional.” My grandmother also was the type of person to never leave the house without her lipstick on, and it’s made me feel closer to her and that whole generation of women who paved the path I walk on today.
- The dining etiquette tips, especially the pacing of conversation (three bites, then pause) and silverware placement. These served me beautifully throughout the event and gave my overextended brain something to keep track of in the background versus feeling fiddly at dinner.
- One thing I observed during our session was the masterful way you guided conversation. I was so impressed by how naturally you wove in personal stories while keeping the focus balanced and engaging. It showed me how to share in a way that feels genuine and warm without slipping into an “interview” dynamic (which over-relying on the “common wisdom” to “let the other person speak the whole time” to ingratiate yourself can often come across as). You came off as so personal and genuine (which I know you are!) in a way that I felt like I got to know you and that you got to know me in even our short time together. I’m still working on actioning that poise and grace, but it’s been such an inspiration to me.
You’ve sparked a genuine interest in continuing to learn more about etiquette and personal polish. Not only do I now see it as something that I can attain for myself, but also I’ve gained an appreciation that at its core, it’s about making genuine connections with people in a graceful and elegant way that doesn’t have to be stuffy or overbearing. I’m so excited to continue to grow.
Thank you again for your time, expertise, and warmth. There were so, so many logistics for us to juggle leading up to the event, but thanks to you, how I presented myself wasn’t one of them.
Jessica
Thank you, Jessica, for the opportunity to work with you!
Looking to Improve your Self-Presentation Skills? Choose Lisa’s Business Etiquette Classes in Dallas
Self-presentation is an important lifelong skill that will help you to handle yourself confidently in a wide variety of settings, including job interviews, client dinners for work, business presentations and other social environments.
In her business etiquette classes, Lisa helps her students to minimize any fear and anxiety they might have in social environments. When demands come, students should be empowered with the skills needed to handle themselves with confidence and a positive self-image.
We are living in a world that is shrinking. Students will master the skills they need to have meaningful interactions with individuals from around the world.
Lisa Burdette is a Dallas etiquette and manners expert. She has worked with corporate clients such as Toyota Corporation, The University of Texas at Dallas, TEXO (The Construction Association) and others to assist with workplace etiquette training and workshops. In addition, Lisa has successfully helped many individuals with polishing their professional image and increasing their personal confidence at work, in school and in their personal lives.
Ready to elevate your professional life by developing a personal brand? Reach out via our Contact page or Book Online and request your session with Lisa today.
