Hello and welcome to "Working the Dream" 00:00:30.19\00:00:32.73 I'm your host Eric Kelly, and you've probably noticed 00:00:32.76\00:00:36.03 that I'm not all knotted up in a shirt and tie 00:00:36.06\00:00:38.60 because it is... drum roll please, "Casual Friday!" 00:00:38.63\00:00:43.44 Now notice I didn't say, "grunge Friday or "wrinkled, 00:00:43.47\00:00:48.81 hat, mess Friday or what in the world do you have on Friday?" 00:00:48.84\00:00:54.08 Casual Friday is simply a day that many employers 00:00:54.12\00:00:58.09 allow their employees to dress 00:00:58.12\00:00:59.95 down just a notch prior to the weekend. 00:00:59.99\00:01:03.22 It builds good feelings about the work place. 00:01:03.26\00:01:05.99 However, they are still expecting a degree of 00:01:06.03\00:01:09.43 professionalism. 00:01:09.46\00:01:10.80 Sadly, I've talked to some managers who regret 00:01:10.83\00:01:14.30 allowing the casual Friday practice to even start at all 00:01:14.34\00:01:18.84 because of how it's turned out. 00:01:18.87\00:01:20.71 Well, what does that have to do with today's topic? 00:01:20.74\00:01:23.91 Well today, we're going to share how you can build 00:01:23.95\00:01:26.88 a powerful personal career brand. 00:01:26.92\00:01:31.15 Your image is the perception people have of you 00:01:31.19\00:01:34.59 based on observations and insights over time. 00:01:34.62\00:01:38.29 Simply put, your image is your personal brand. 00:01:38.33\00:01:42.16 To have a positive brand, one must have created 00:01:42.20\00:01:46.80 a positive image. 00:01:46.84\00:01:48.54 Now, can you do things to build your personal brand, your image? 00:01:48.57\00:01:52.07 Absolutely! 00:01:53.11\00:01:54.94 Now if you want to understand how branding works 00:01:54.98\00:01:57.65 let's take a trip to your local grocery store. 00:01:57.68\00:02:01.22 Let's say today, you're going to make a dish 00:02:01.25\00:02:04.42 that requires corn... 00:02:04.45\00:02:06.29 So, you go to the aisle that has canned vegetables, 00:02:06.32\00:02:09.42 and there before you are just oodles of choices for corn. 00:02:09.46\00:02:14.16 Now even if you don't think about it consciously, 00:02:14.20\00:02:17.53 you are going to buy the can that you feel 00:02:17.57\00:02:21.30 most comfortable with. 00:02:21.34\00:02:22.87 Your comfort level with what you buy - may be based 00:02:22.90\00:02:26.14 on an advertisement where you saw a commercial of a 00:02:26.17\00:02:29.61 very happy..."Ho Ho Ho," very tall individual extolling 00:02:29.64\00:02:34.35 the virtues of his brand of corn. 00:02:34.38\00:02:37.12 Now this subconsciously started to create a positive brand image 00:02:37.15\00:02:41.99 in your mind - maybe after that, you visited a friend 00:02:42.02\00:02:45.93 and then made a casserole corn dish and when they 00:02:45.96\00:02:49.56 served it - it was so delicious that when you complimented 00:02:49.60\00:02:53.00 their cooking skills, they shared the brand of corn 00:02:53.03\00:02:56.44 that they used. 00:02:56.47\00:02:57.81 Either way, your eyes and ears registered a brand from the 00:02:57.84\00:03:01.98 commercial, then your eyes and ears and taste buds registered 00:03:02.01\00:03:06.05 a brand at your friend's meal and from those senses, 00:03:06.08\00:03:10.29 you will now make a choice when you are faced 00:03:10.32\00:03:13.39 with the options for corn. 00:03:13.42\00:03:15.89 When it's time for you to buy an automobile, 00:03:15.92\00:03:18.63 branding also is a big influencer. 00:03:18.66\00:03:21.36 I've seen some of the brands that present themselves 00:03:21.40\00:03:24.60 with scenes depicting young, energetic, fun-loving drivers 00:03:24.63\00:03:29.24 that are all looking for features and economic value. 00:03:29.27\00:03:32.91 The images are of young people and they're laughing, 00:03:32.94\00:03:35.54 they're piling into a car and they're going to go out 00:03:36.54\00:03:37.88 and have a fun-filled evening... Wow - cool car! 00:03:37.91\00:03:40.98 Now, I've seen some other brands that depict a more distinguished 00:03:41.02\00:03:45.65 couple driving a luxury automobile and the verbiage 00:03:45.69\00:03:49.12 that the announcer uses goes something like this... 00:03:49.16\00:03:52.09 "This is what you drive when you have finally arrived." 00:03:52.13\00:03:57.73 Arrived at what? 00:03:57.77\00:03:59.20 Some of us who chose that brand wonder where the 00:03:59.23\00:04:02.40 announcer was when that first car note notice arrived. 00:04:02.44\00:04:06.54 Either way, branding influences choices. 00:04:06.57\00:04:09.74 Now the workplace is no different. 00:04:09.78\00:04:12.31 Your employers have seen employees come and go, 00:04:12.35\00:04:16.18 and based on their experiences with people, 00:04:16.22\00:04:19.32 they're looking for an image, a brand if you will of a person 00:04:19.35\00:04:23.22 that they believe will help their organization become 00:04:23.26\00:04:26.66 even more successful. 00:04:26.70\00:04:28.60 Your image, your brand will be built around three 00:04:28.63\00:04:32.47 major things. 00:04:32.50\00:04:33.84 The first is dress - what do people see 00:04:33.87\00:04:37.81 when they look at you? 00:04:37.84\00:04:39.41 How you dress - what you choose to wear to work will affect 00:04:39.44\00:04:42.74 how those in authority perceive your judgment and ability. 00:04:42.78\00:04:47.28 The second area is - what they hear. 00:04:47.32\00:04:50.05 Your communication skills - verbal and nonverbal. 00:04:50.09\00:04:54.19 Interestingly enough, people with strong 00:04:54.22\00:04:57.69 verbal communication skills are often given credit for an 00:04:57.73\00:05:02.16 above average level of intelligence which may 00:05:02.20\00:05:05.50 or may not be true. 00:05:05.53\00:05:06.87 Now, don't let that one get around. 00:05:06.90\00:05:09.34 The third consideration is how you combine both 00:05:09.37\00:05:13.71 to project a competent, positive image. 00:05:13.74\00:05:17.25 So image is the following: 00:05:17.28\00:05:18.61 Well let's look at the impact of dress, communication skill, 00:05:28.59\00:05:31.96 and positive image projection on the careers of 00:05:31.99\00:05:35.20 Grant and Malik... 00:05:35.23\00:05:37.17 Hey my brother man - I been calling you all day, Rocco man. 00:05:37.20\00:05:39.47 Where you been, man I'm glad you finally picked the phone up. 00:05:39.50\00:05:41.80 Hey, check this out - Saturday night is going to be 00:05:41.84\00:05:43.71 off the chain - I got that leather jacket, 00:05:43.74\00:05:45.64 that New York hoodie and I'm sport'n these "AB Ed glasses," 00:05:45.67\00:05:48.48 here man - I gotta go man, the hall monitor just walked in. 00:05:48.51\00:05:51.71 Man brother - can't you see I'm on the phone my brother? 00:05:51.75\00:05:54.02 Man, you know we shouldn't be on the phone when it's 00:05:54.05\00:05:56.28 when it's not break time. 00:05:56.32\00:05:57.65 You gotta lighten up, you're always so tight. 00:05:57.69\00:05:59.69 Man, the work is getting done, and what's the problem? 00:05:59.72\00:06:01.86 Yeah, the work is getting done, but what happens if the 00:06:01.89\00:06:03.83 boss comes in here and you're acting up? 00:06:03.86\00:06:06.83 The boss comes down here? I mean, really? Like really? 00:06:06.86\00:06:10.37 People up - you think the people upstairs care about us 00:06:10.40\00:06:12.53 down here? I mean G-stacks 00:06:12.57\00:06:13.90 don't know nobody but the mail and you. 00:06:13.94\00:06:15.87 You look like... you always down here. 00:06:15.90\00:06:17.97 Look at - by the way, you walk around with a tie, 00:06:18.01\00:06:19.87 do you think they gonna come down here and save us? 00:06:19.91\00:06:22.81 How you act, what you dress, what you wear is important... 00:06:22.84\00:06:25.98 It sets the first impression. 00:06:26.38\00:06:27.72 That's what people see when they first meet you. 00:06:27.75\00:06:29.95 Yeah aha, you been tellin me that for the last two years, 00:06:29.98\00:06:31.95 and by the way, aren't you a Christian man? 00:06:31.99\00:06:33.69 And you still smokin that success stuff... 00:06:33.72\00:06:35.66 Man, you gotta come to reality, 00:06:35.69\00:06:37.16 This is it, this is the mail room, mail come in, it go out. 00:06:37.19\00:06:40.16 Everything that go out, go out in boxes. 00:06:40.20\00:06:41.53 You don't get it? Don't get what? 00:06:41.56\00:06:43.23 You can get out of this mailroom. 00:06:43.26\00:06:45.27 G- Stacks could get out of the mailroom? 00:06:45.30\00:06:47.14 When people come here, they notice you. 00:06:47.17\00:06:49.24 The people that matter can come down here and see you, 00:06:49.27\00:06:51.67 and see the potential - and then you get out of the mailroom. 00:06:51.71\00:06:54.38 Now I gotta agree, I do have some potential, 00:06:54.41\00:06:56.24 but nobody down here to see it, 00:06:56.28\00:06:57.61 but you and you ain't doin nothin for me. 00:06:57.65\00:06:59.31 Have you seen Mr. Martin's mail? Mr. Who? 00:06:59.35\00:07:04.45 The CEO of the company, Mr. Martin. 00:07:04.49\00:07:06.59 Mr. Martin? Oh Mr. Martin...Ohh 00:07:06.62\00:07:09.52 Hey Mr. Martin! How are you? 00:07:09.56\00:07:12.43 It's nice to meet you sir, I was just getting ready to 00:07:12.46\00:07:14.26 bring this upstairs to you. 00:07:14.30\00:07:15.63 Oh wow, thank you so very much, but that's not necessary. 00:07:15.66\00:07:18.60 My secretary is out today so I decided to make the 00:07:18.63\00:07:21.34 trek down here myself because this is a very important 00:07:21.37\00:07:24.17 piece of mail for me. 00:07:24.21\00:07:25.54 Are you sure, sir, it's not a problem, 00:07:25.57\00:07:27.11 I can still bring it up for you. 00:07:27.14\00:07:28.48 No, no, no, that's quite all right, 00:07:28.51\00:07:29.84 but I do appreciate the initiative. 00:07:29.88\00:07:31.21 By the way, what's your name? 00:07:31.25\00:07:32.58 Malik, sir, Malik Preston. 00:07:32.61\00:07:33.95 Malik Preston, I'll remember that name, not a difficult name. 00:07:33.98\00:07:36.95 I think I'll hold on to it. Thank you sir. 00:07:36.99\00:07:38.92 Mr. Anderson! 00:07:40.36\00:07:41.72 Oh, you must be the Mr. Martin everybody is talking about. 00:07:41.76\00:07:44.69 Boy, I... man, good to see you again. 00:07:44.73\00:07:46.76 It's been a long time, like what 2 years now 00:07:46.80\00:07:48.63 since I've seen you. 00:07:48.66\00:07:50.00 Now you must be making some money - look at how you dress, 00:07:50.03\00:07:51.93 look at how I dress man, but that's okay, 00:07:51.97\00:07:53.47 this is G-Stacks' outfit. 00:07:53.50\00:07:54.84 Haystacks? No, G-Stacks. 00:07:54.87\00:07:57.04 So what's up, my brother? 00:07:57.07\00:07:58.47 Well I wanted to just know how 00:07:58.51\00:07:59.84 you're doing down here in the mailroom? 00:07:59.87\00:08:01.21 It's the mailroom, "m-a-i-l" that's all I get down here. 00:08:01.24\00:08:04.05 It comes in, it goes out, that's all I need to do. 00:08:04.08\00:08:05.95 The sun done come up, the sun go down, 00:08:05.98\00:08:07.68 I come in, I go home... as long as my 00:08:07.72\00:08:09.95 check show up, I'm cool. 00:08:09.98\00:08:11.32 You do understand that you don't have 00:08:11.35\00:08:13.49 to remain in the mailroom. 00:08:13.52\00:08:14.96 Well you tryin to tell me 00:08:14.99\00:08:16.39 there's some other place I can go? 00:08:16.42\00:08:17.76 Yeah, there's always opportunity for improvement. 00:08:17.79\00:08:20.03 We are always looking for the best and the brightest 00:08:20.06\00:08:22.46 minds in this company. 00:08:22.50\00:08:23.83 We want to improve and promote our people in this company. 00:08:23.87\00:08:26.87 I believed that 2 years ago, but I'm still stuck down here, 00:08:26.90\00:08:29.30 so what else do I need to do to get outta here? 00:08:29.34\00:08:31.67 Well, it depends upon your deportment, your demeanor... 00:08:31.71\00:08:33.91 the way you dress, the way you talk, 00:08:33.94\00:08:35.28 the way you act - all of that factors into the promotions 00:08:35.31\00:08:38.25 that we do in this company. 00:08:38.28\00:08:39.61 In a big word, "deportment," see, I aim my vocabulary, 00:08:39.65\00:08:42.02 just say, "clothin." 00:08:42.05\00:08:43.52 But, so what should I do then to get out of here 00:08:43.55\00:08:46.22 because I'm kinda getting tired 00:08:46.25\00:08:47.59 of just looking at walls, there ain't no windows 00:08:47.62\00:08:48.96 down here either - you know what I'm sayin? 00:08:48.99\00:08:51.06 Yeah, if you do your best, we'll see your best, 00:08:51.09\00:08:53.26 and that's how we promote. 00:08:53.29\00:08:54.63 So you tryin to tell me that there's hope for G-Stacks? 00:08:54.66\00:08:57.90 I mean, I could make it... I could go upstairs and see 00:08:57.93\00:09:00.40 other people? 00:09:00.44\00:09:01.77 There's hope for everybody. 00:09:01.80\00:09:03.14 Hmm - Okay I'll try to do my best. 00:09:03.17\00:09:04.97 I mean, if you tellin me it's workin for you 00:09:05.01\00:09:06.94 so must be some truth to it, so, you know, I'll try to 00:09:06.98\00:09:09.48 apply myself - I appreciate the words, Mr. Martin. 00:09:09.51\00:09:11.81 Peace out. Appreciate that. 00:09:11.85\00:09:13.52 Malik, appreciate the initiative. Thank you sir. 00:09:13.55\00:09:16.48 Appreciate your work. Thank you. 00:09:16.52\00:09:17.95 By the way, I like that tie. Thank you 00:09:17.99\00:09:20.26 So he the man, huh? He's the man! 00:09:20.32\00:09:25.36 Hey brother - call that number after 5 p.m. 00:09:27.20\00:09:30.70 Hmm, mmm, my - "Your path to great success starts here." 00:09:30.73\00:09:35.24 "55-prophet" - I'm gonna try cause, I mean, look 00:09:35.27\00:09:37.67 at how you dress and look at how he dresses. 00:09:37.71\00:09:40.08 There got to be somethin other than this for G-Stacks. 00:09:40.11\00:09:42.44 Yeah, I'll make the call, maybe I got a 00:09:42.48\00:09:45.11 brighter future, who knows? 00:09:45.15\00:09:53.12 Well Grant hopefully has learned what Malik already knows... 00:09:53.15\00:09:58.56 That is.. whether we like it or not, whether we think it's 00:09:58.59\00:10:03.97 fair or not, people judge you on how you present yourself 00:10:04.00\00:10:08.54 each day. 00:10:08.57\00:10:10.11 Having worked with senior executives and CEOs, 00:10:10.14\00:10:13.54 as they review those that they deem upwardly mobile, 00:10:13.58\00:10:17.25 I can assure you that senior managers do talk about 00:10:17.28\00:10:21.78 how you present yourself. 00:10:21.82\00:10:24.02 Now, let's look at the first most obvious thing that 00:10:24.05\00:10:28.09 people notice about you and that is the way that you dress. 00:10:28.12\00:10:31.79 Okay, some of you are saying, "Look, I have a right 00:10:31.83\00:10:35.00 to exercise my personal taste in how I dress." 00:10:35.03\00:10:38.97 My response to that statement is, "You most certainly do," 00:10:39.00\00:10:45.31 and your up line supervisors and managers have a right 00:10:45.34\00:10:48.81 to judge you on how you look when you are working 00:10:48.84\00:10:51.91 at their company. 00:10:51.95\00:10:54.58 You see, how you dress at home or when you're away from work 00:10:54.62\00:10:57.65 is absolutely no one else's business but yours. 00:10:57.69\00:11:01.46 However, when you are in the workplace of a company 00:11:01.49\00:11:04.89 that you do not own, it can create 00:11:04.93\00:11:08.13 an unwanted distraction. 00:11:08.16\00:11:09.83 The reason that this topic is such a controversial one is 00:11:09.86\00:11:14.40 because the way we dress, our taste and our sense of style 00:11:14.44\00:11:17.97 it's incredibly personal. 00:11:18.01\00:11:20.41 In fact, it so personal that some people believe 00:11:20.44\00:11:23.24 it is an extension of who they actually are. 00:11:23.28\00:11:26.38 Here are two questions to ask yourself before selecting 00:11:26.41\00:11:29.92 a work outfit... 00:11:29.95\00:11:31.35 Is this outfit one that the culture at my job 00:11:31.39\00:11:34.56 will embrace or reject? 00:11:34.59\00:11:36.46 Does this outfit help or hurt my chances of success 00:11:36.49\00:11:40.56 here at work? 00:11:40.60\00:11:41.93 If you really want to understand the culture of dress 00:11:41.96\00:11:45.27 that is acceptable at your company, 00:11:45.30\00:11:47.44 observe how the senior team dresses. 00:11:47.47\00:11:50.84 What seems to be the acceptable norm for them? 00:11:50.87\00:11:53.68 Now some basic tips that might seem like common sense 00:11:53.71\00:11:58.15 for those who are enlightened, might be due for 00:11:58.18\00:12:00.72 reinforcement on this topic. 00:12:00.75\00:12:02.42 Unless you are in the high fashion industry, 00:12:02.45\00:12:06.45 you can rarely go wrong opting for a more conservative look. 00:12:06.49\00:12:10.86 The more conservative style, the better - your blues, 00:12:10.89\00:12:13.36 your grays, solid or pin-stripes. 00:12:13.40\00:12:15.40 Women - you may include more colors. 00:12:15.43\00:12:17.93 Now someone might be saying... 00:12:17.97\00:12:19.57 If I'm too conservative, nobody will notice me. 00:12:19.60\00:12:23.20 Well, you want to be noticed for how you work, 00:12:23.24\00:12:26.81 not necessarily on how flashy and fashion-forward you dress. 00:12:26.84\00:12:32.31 I have hundreds of stories where dress was the deciding factor 00:12:32.35\00:12:36.79 AGAINST someone's advancement. 00:12:36.82\00:12:39.79 The senior team consistently saw poor taste in dress 00:12:39.82\00:12:44.13 as poor judgment, and a more conservative 00:12:44.16\00:12:47.16 dresser with maybe even the same skill got the nod. 00:12:47.20\00:12:51.10 Wear outfits that communicate "I am a business leader." 00:12:51.13\00:12:56.20 Party clothes SCREAM party person and provocative 00:12:56.24\00:13:01.38 is not good. 00:13:01.41\00:13:04.35 So when should I change my outfit, you ask? 00:13:04.38\00:13:07.28 Well, if you work for an accounting firm - when you're 00:13:07.32\00:13:12.09 wearing any of the outfits on Hollywood dancing stars, 00:13:12.12\00:13:16.96 you probably should change. 00:13:16.99\00:13:19.29 If your boss and their boss stops by your office, 00:13:19.33\00:13:22.90 and at the end of the conversation they say 00:13:22.93\00:13:25.40 something like, "WOW, we didn't even know 00:13:25.43\00:13:28.20 those colors went together..." you should probably change. 00:13:28.24\00:13:32.71 If you were going up to work in an elevator and people are 00:13:32.74\00:13:35.58 asking you, Where is the party? You should probably change. 00:13:35.61\00:13:40.25 Bottom line - if you look in the mirror and you're saying 00:13:40.28\00:13:43.75 to yourself, "Maybe I shouldn't wear this?" 00:13:43.79\00:13:47.09 You should definitely change. 00:13:47.12\00:13:49.22 Basic rules... No lumps or bumps in your clothes. 00:13:49.26\00:13:52.06 Whether you are buff to the max or you need to 00:13:53.09\00:13:55.76 spend more time in the gym, wear clothes that do not 00:13:55.80\00:13:59.13 accentuate anything that could be distracting away from 00:13:59.17\00:14:03.54 your excellence as a worker. 00:14:03.57\00:14:05.67 Be careful with skin... whether it's a miniskirt 00:14:05.71\00:14:08.24 or a golf shirt that shows off your 20 inch arm 00:14:08.28\00:14:11.65 or visible tattoos - if it causes workplace discussion 00:14:11.68\00:14:15.82 that are not about your abilities, it's a distraction 00:14:15.85\00:14:19.15 that you do not want. 00:14:19.19\00:14:20.62 Now, here's a special word of caution... 00:14:20.66\00:14:23.83 "Casual Friday" should not be "dirt bag Friday." 00:14:23.86\00:14:28.06 I'm going into downtown office buildings all over the 00:14:28.10\00:14:30.60 country, filled with highly skilled professionals 00:14:30.63\00:14:34.04 and I've gone in on Friday wondering if I 00:14:34.07\00:14:36.00 stumbled into a beach party movie. 00:14:36.04\00:14:38.17 They wore flip-flops, they wore jeans that were 00:14:38.21\00:14:40.44 torn and cut, and tank tops and assorted picnic outfits. 00:14:40.48\00:14:44.95 I'm not sure if any of these people thought about how 00:14:44.98\00:14:47.88 they were being viewed by their leaders. 00:14:47.92\00:14:50.99 Casual Friday - dress down, but not out. 00:14:51.02\00:14:55.36 Now, let's talk about the impact of communication skills. 00:14:55.39\00:14:59.89 Do you sound knowledgeable and intelligent? 00:14:59.93\00:15:02.70 Whether we like it or not, we're judged not only 00:15:02.73\00:15:05.33 on how we look, but how we sound. 00:15:05.37\00:15:07.40 It helps people find a comfort zone when dealing with us. 00:15:07.44\00:15:11.34 Imagine yourself lost... and so you're turned around 00:15:11.37\00:15:15.84 and you knew you had to ask for directions, 00:15:15.88\00:15:18.45 so you pull into a service station and there's a gentleman 00:15:18.48\00:15:21.32 standing outside - when you pull up next to him, 00:15:21.35\00:15:24.09 you roll down your window and before you can say anything, 00:15:24.12\00:15:27.36 he smiles and says, "Hello there, can I help you?" 00:15:27.39\00:15:30.73 Psychologically, the smile and the friendly manner put you 00:15:30.76\00:15:35.03 a little more at ease, even though you still 00:15:35.06\00:15:37.97 don't have your directions yet. 00:15:38.00\00:15:39.63 He continues to explain, pleasantly, that you missed 00:15:39.67\00:15:42.87 your turn about 2 miles back. 00:15:42.90\00:15:45.14 Now, did the way he sounded have any effect on you? 00:15:45.17\00:15:48.38 Well of course it did. 00:15:48.41\00:15:49.74 His accent, if he had one, was not particularly an issue 00:15:49.78\00:15:53.82 as long as you could understand him. 00:15:53.85\00:15:56.22 What you wanted to know was... could he help you. 00:15:56.25\00:15:59.72 So as you listened to him, you were trying to determine 00:15:59.75\00:16:02.59 if he was knowledgeable and when you were convinced that 00:16:02.62\00:16:05.96 he was correct in his instructions, 00:16:05.99\00:16:08.23 you experienced relief and you set about following them; 00:16:08.26\00:16:12.23 however, you first had to decide if you believed he knew 00:16:12.27\00:16:17.01 what he was talking about in the first place. 00:16:17.04\00:16:20.01 So what do you sound like? 00:16:20.04\00:16:21.94 Are you articulate, or do you sound well-read? 00:16:21.98\00:16:25.01 Are you clearly understood. Do you sound educated? 00:16:25.05\00:16:28.85 Whether we like it or not, we are being judged 00:16:28.88\00:16:31.49 from the instant we show up until we leave, 00:16:31.52\00:16:34.76 but that's heightened at the point where we 00:16:34.79\00:16:37.13 begin to speak. 00:16:37.16\00:16:38.86 Now you might ask, why is this important to me in my career? 00:16:38.89\00:16:41.90 Well, look at it this way... 00:16:41.93\00:16:43.67 It's hard to be good at your job if you're not articulate, 00:16:43.70\00:16:47.10 if you can't persuade or if you're not easily understood. 00:16:47.14\00:16:51.51 There are so many times at your job where the conversation 00:16:51.54\00:16:54.34 will be one-on-one, but also one-to-many, 00:16:54.38\00:16:57.95 and to have a vibrant career, you will need to be effective 00:16:57.98\00:17:01.58 in communicating in both situations. 00:17:01.62\00:17:04.15 If you're in a meeting, when you're finished talking, 00:17:04.19\00:17:06.92 people need to know and understand what you said. 00:17:06.96\00:17:10.36 If you want them to actually take some action 00:17:10.39\00:17:12.39 and do something with your information, 00:17:12.43\00:17:14.46 you will also need to be persuasive. 00:17:14.50\00:17:17.23 Now whether there is a true correlation or not, 00:17:17.27\00:17:21.27 there is definitely a belief that high achievers 00:17:21.30\00:17:24.14 will be able to speak well. 00:17:24.17\00:17:26.44 Sometimes you'll hear the word "smart," describing a person... 00:17:26.47\00:17:29.68 It is simply the speaker's way of describing someone they 00:17:29.71\00:17:32.91 feel is intelligent and articulate. 00:17:32.95\00:17:35.75 Bottom line - At your job, do you sound like 00:17:35.78\00:17:39.19 you know what you're talking about? 00:17:39.22\00:17:40.59 I want to make an additional point about why selling 00:17:42.69\00:17:45.53 speeches and persuasive speech are important 00:17:45.56\00:17:48.53 to your career. 00:17:48.56\00:17:49.90 Persuasive speech enrolls coworkers 00:17:49.93\00:17:52.40 and helps to sell ideas. 00:17:52.43\00:17:55.24 Now some of your work life will be spent in trying to 00:17:55.27\00:17:58.21 convince others of how your ideas can help your 00:17:58.24\00:18:01.74 team achieve success. 00:18:01.78\00:18:03.78 This is when you need to be the most persuasive. 00:18:03.81\00:18:07.02 You need to be able to sell an idea and the benefits 00:18:07.05\00:18:10.02 that it will have for the people that you're speaking to. 00:18:10.05\00:18:13.69 Let's say that you found a way to fix a company-wide problem... 00:18:13.72\00:18:16.96 If they follow your advice, not only can you fix the 00:18:16.99\00:18:20.23 problem area being addressed, but you'll also be able to 00:18:20.26\00:18:23.37 save your company several hundred thousands of dollars. 00:18:23.40\00:18:27.64 Now it's great that you've come up with this plan, 00:18:27.67\00:18:30.21 in fact; if they implement it, you might actually 00:18:30.24\00:18:33.41 become a hero. 00:18:33.44\00:18:34.78 However, before you'll be able to bask in the glow of 00:18:34.81\00:18:38.01 your genius, you will have to tell somebody... 00:18:38.05\00:18:41.02 No, you will have to sell somebody on your idea... 00:18:41.05\00:18:44.75 starting with your boss and then their boss, and their boss, 00:18:44.79\00:18:48.92 and so on, and so on. 00:18:48.96\00:18:50.86 Great leaders are known for their ability to sell ideas. 00:18:50.89\00:18:55.26 Now here's an incredibly intriguing fact... 00:18:55.30\00:18:59.03 Often good communicators are given credit for intelligence... 00:18:59.07\00:19:03.84 notice I did not say, "talkers," I said "communicators" 00:19:03.87\00:19:08.48 to give them credit for an intelligence that they 00:19:08.51\00:19:11.25 may not have - from getting team members to take a 00:19:11.28\00:19:14.72 particular course of action, to asking for a raise, 00:19:14.75\00:19:18.32 your ability to sell your ideas will be critical to your 00:19:18.35\00:19:21.99 career success. 00:19:22.02\00:19:23.36 Now let's take a look at how nonverbal communication 00:19:23.39\00:19:27.26 affects your image... 00:19:27.30\00:19:28.66 Nonverbal communication accompanies verbal 00:19:28.70\00:19:31.60 communication and it either supports it or invalidates it. 00:19:31.63\00:19:36.77 Let's look at facial expressions... 00:19:36.81\00:19:38.81 They really share our moods, what we're really thinking, 00:19:38.84\00:19:41.58 what's really going on. 00:19:41.61\00:19:43.11 Years ago, there was a television series about a 00:19:43.14\00:19:46.21 starship that traveled throughout the universe, 00:19:46.25\00:19:49.45 and they had a science officer who had pointy ears, 00:19:49.48\00:19:53.82 and he was always calm. 00:19:53.86\00:19:56.99 So there they would be fighting the space storm or into a 00:19:57.03\00:20:01.56 really dangerous situation and just before they would 00:20:01.60\00:20:04.80 crash, they would look at the science officer and with no 00:20:04.83\00:20:08.40 emotion, he would simply say, "Yes Captain, we're about to 00:20:08.44\00:20:11.47 crash in 3.2 seconds, in 2.1 seconds, always calm, 00:20:11.51\00:20:16.08 and we loved him. 00:20:16.11\00:20:17.65 And the reason was... his facial expression always 00:20:17.68\00:20:22.25 shared with us a message of control, of calm. 00:20:22.28\00:20:26.22 In fact, as a leader, we looked up to him. 00:20:26.25\00:20:29.46 Now if your words and your facial expressions don't 00:20:29.49\00:20:32.93 match, people will believe your facial expression first. 00:20:32.96\00:20:37.90 Here's an example... 00:20:37.93\00:20:39.27 You come in in the morning and you're really not 00:20:39.30\00:20:42.94 feeling all that great, so one of your coworkers, 00:20:42.97\00:20:46.11 always the perky one, comes up and says, "Oh, how are you 00:20:46.14\00:20:48.74 today?" 00:20:48.78\00:20:50.11 And you look at them and say, "Fine." 00:20:50.15\00:20:52.98 Now, your facial expression said, "Horrible day." 00:20:53.01\00:20:57.29 Your words were "fine," which was believed? 00:20:57.32\00:21:01.56 Trust me - it wasn't your words because your facial expression, 00:21:01.59\00:21:06.49 your nonverbal is seen as being more honest than your verbal. 00:21:06.53\00:21:12.40 Now, speech volume also communicates nonverbally. 00:21:12.43\00:21:17.81 I really don't understand this, but if someone speaks 00:21:17.84\00:21:20.98 in a language that we don't understand, 00:21:21.01\00:21:23.88 we tend to become louder. 00:21:23.91\00:21:26.48 "GOOD MORNING, HOW ARE YOU?" They're not deaf, 00:21:26.51\00:21:30.25 they just don't speak your language. 00:21:30.29\00:21:33.15 And, if you look at volume, yelling in the communications 00:21:33.19\00:21:37.43 transaction, usually denotes some intensity of feeling. 00:21:37.46\00:21:42.23 Now, speaking before a group requires a confident voice 00:21:42.26\00:21:46.97 in order to be believed... so there's going to be more 00:21:47.00\00:21:49.60 volume - there's going to be more projection there, 00:21:49.64\00:21:52.67 but yelling, hmm, not so much. 00:21:52.71\00:21:55.21 Now vocal inflection, pauses, also send a message. 00:21:55.24\00:22:01.25 I've seen people send messages with just a sheer pause. 00:22:01.28\00:22:05.09 Here's how it works... 00:22:05.12\00:22:06.45 "Well what do you think about Bob's work?" 00:22:06.49\00:22:09.79 Here's the response... (Head down, nonverbal) 00:22:09.82\00:22:13.40 Now, there was absolutely no quote that could be used; 00:22:13.43\00:22:17.87 however, I believe I sent a message. 00:22:17.90\00:22:21.07 Back in college, I had a roommate who said, 00:22:21.10\00:22:24.94 "You Americans put the emPHAsis on the wrong sylLAble." 00:22:24.97\00:22:28.78 And I thought about this as we would chat because 00:22:28.81\00:22:32.25 what he was really saying was that the way we emphasize 00:22:32.28\00:22:35.42 words, made a difference in their meanings. 00:22:35.45\00:22:37.99 Now I'm going to give you a phrase and I'm going to 00:22:38.02\00:22:40.42 show you how I can emphasize different words and create 00:22:40.46\00:22:45.69 totally different meanings... 00:22:45.73\00:22:48.43 For this example, let's use the phrase, 00:22:48.46\00:22:51.07 "I did not say, "he ate the cookie." 00:22:51.10\00:22:54.80 And we're going to change the emphasis on different words 00:22:54.84\00:22:58.84 and look how the meaning changes. 00:22:58.87\00:23:01.88 So, let's put the emphasis on the first word... 00:23:01.91\00:23:05.15 "I did not say, "he ate the cookie." 00:23:05.18\00:23:09.78 Well, that meaning could mean, you didn't say it; however, 00:23:09.82\00:23:14.76 did someone else say - he ate the cookie? 00:23:14.79\00:23:17.29 Let's put the emphasis on the word "say." 00:23:17.33\00:23:21.66 "I did not SAY - he ate the cookie." 00:23:21.70\00:23:25.37 Could that mean you wrote down that he ate the cookie? 00:23:25.40\00:23:29.54 "I did not say - he ATE the cookie." 00:23:29.57\00:23:33.74 With the emphasis being on the word "ate," 00:23:33.78\00:23:36.31 hmm, did he just take the cookie and hide it somewhere? 00:23:36.34\00:23:42.72 "I did not say - he ate the COOKIE." 00:23:42.75\00:23:45.85 Well maybe he didn't eat the cookie, 00:23:45.89\00:23:48.52 but did he eat all the candy that was in the bowl? 00:23:48.56\00:23:52.36 Simply by changing the emphasis on words, 00:23:52.39\00:23:55.83 we can change their meaning. 00:23:55.86\00:23:58.20 We should be well aware of that when we are communicating 00:23:58.23\00:24:00.80 with someone and when our intent is to make sure 00:24:00.84\00:24:03.97 that our point is well taken. 00:24:04.01\00:24:06.81 Now let's look at the area of gestures and how nonverbally 00:24:06.84\00:24:12.05 they help us communicate. 00:24:12.08\00:24:14.02 "Hands," for instance, they often create context. 00:24:14.05\00:24:17.15 They illustrate small, LARGE. 00:24:17.19\00:24:22.36 Have you seen this one? "Cold" 00:24:22.39\00:24:25.93 "Warm" 00:24:25.96\00:24:28.46 Simply by using our hands, we can add an exclamation point 00:24:28.50\00:24:32.27 almost to any subject that we're talking about. 00:24:32.30\00:24:35.57 "Posture" also communicates nonverbally. 00:24:35.60\00:24:39.71 Years ago, I was speaking at a university and I went to 00:24:39.74\00:24:43.28 several classes to share with them tips on how to 00:24:43.31\00:24:46.51 get jobs, how to keep jobs, and I started at the freshman 00:24:46.55\00:24:50.22 class and they were slumped over and they were kind of 00:24:50.25\00:24:53.82 laying on the desk and "Ehh, whatever." 00:24:53.86\00:24:57.43 And went to a sophomore class and spoken, 00:24:57.46\00:25:00.06 they were just a little bit more interested, 00:25:00.10\00:25:01.96 and I could tell by their posture. 00:25:02.00\00:25:03.60 By the time I got to the junior class, 00:25:03.63\00:25:05.93 I had a little more of their attention and they kind of 00:25:05.97\00:25:08.37 their attention and they kind of sat up and by the time 00:25:08.40\00:25:09.90 I got to the seniors, who were leaving the university 00:25:09.94\00:25:13.27 and about to go into the job market, 00:25:13.31\00:25:15.24 I had their full attention. 00:25:15.28\00:25:16.98 How did I know? By their posture. 00:25:17.01\00:25:19.75 They were attentive, they were very interested and focused. 00:25:19.78\00:25:22.92 So posture will tell someone whether or not you're 00:25:23.85\00:25:27.79 listening or you're focused on what they're talking about. 00:25:27.82\00:25:30.46 At work, you want to project that you are on point 00:25:30.49\00:25:33.96 and focused, so you want your posture to have that aggressive 00:25:34.00\00:25:37.60 business look about it. 00:25:37.63\00:25:39.37 So here are some tips for projecting a positive image... 00:25:39.40\00:25:43.17 Dress each day for a meeting with the president 00:25:43.20\00:25:47.14 or the leader of your organization. 00:25:47.18\00:25:49.11 If you met them in the hallway, would you feel good 00:25:49.14\00:25:52.35 about what your wearing? 00:25:52.38\00:25:54.18 Speak clearly and confidently to whoever you're speaking with, 00:25:54.22\00:26:00.06 whether it be the boss, a peer or someone that 00:26:00.09\00:26:02.72 reports to you. 00:26:02.76\00:26:04.09 SMILE, look the person directly in the eye. 00:26:04.13\00:26:06.73 Always give a firm handshake, 00:26:06.76\00:26:09.13 and be an enthusiastic team player. 00:26:09.16\00:26:12.23 With your nonverbal, let people know that you're committed 00:26:12.27\00:26:15.37 to being there and doing a good job. 00:26:15.40\00:26:18.11 And... 00:26:18.14\00:26:21.84 Now this outfit is the bomb! 00:27:03.69\00:27:06.25 Wear it and watch your life be blessed. 00:27:06.29\00:27:10.69 Until next time, keep "Working the Dream" 00:27:10.73\00:27:15.10