Holiday parties can be landmines for careers sometimes even resulting in party situations being taken to senior leaders. On the other hand, holiday work gatherings can enhance your employment capital by giving others an opportunity to know you even if it is only to say hello and introduce yourself.

Definitely stay away from controversial subjects like politics, money and religion. Many relationships rupture because of differences in these areas.  Holiday parties can also be events where you can begin to mend some broken fences.

Whether is it Scandal or The Good Wife, I love watching Kerry Washington and Christine Baranski, especially in how they take control of the situations they face on the programs.

I also notice that their clothing choices and especially Christine’s jewelry picks, paired with clothing selections, are impeccable. Wardrobe stylists on these shows spend hours with an abundance of resources at their fingertips to style their characters. We may not always be able to afford TV character choices of clothing or jewelry. However, watching these shows can provide ideas and suggestions on wardrobe and accessory stylings. It’s almost like having your own stylist!

Recently, I was out with folks who like to have a cocktail and wine with their meals. Since for me, one glass of wine is more than enough for an evening, I usually order a club soda with a lime. I will order that glass of wine with my meal if everyone is having one.

It would be the same for a business event. For hosts, I recommend no more than two glasses of wine with one cocktail. Liquor can loosen one’s tongue which can lead to revealing things that would be better left unsaid.

Most our interactions, including final business transactions, take place on the phone. Speaking clearly and succinctly is very critical for many reasons. Your tone of voice is important in showing confidence and asking the appropriate questions.

Most importantly, you need to be heard. A good way to practice is by partnering with a colleague so you can both practice a range of voices, tones and pronunciations. Your phone voice is just as important as your visual presence.

Surveys have shown women who wear makeup are seen as more confident by the C-Suite. However, I am not advocating that women should wear foundation, blush, lipstick etc. What I am suggesting is that there are many alternatives besides lipstick. Many companies such as Burt’s Bees, Origins and Benefit provide color in their lip balms. A little blush on the cheeks and color on the lips will create a polished finish.

For those who have small shaped lips and would like to wear a lipstick but have experienced too much color on the lips, consult with a makeup professional to help you choose a color with a natural look.

Wearing the same color on their lips as their natural lip color has worked for many of my clients. It completes a finished look that is not garish.

In a recent photo shoot with a client we wanted to add impact to his picture. He has a very nice face as well as an engaging smile. However, his skin tone and hair color appeared similar. In a picture, this looked washed out.

To add impact we chose a red background, a pinstripe blue shirt and blue jacket. The color combination gave the photo some color pop. It created a very smart, contemporary image showing that the right color combinations have impact and create value.

Should women get a manicure and does there have to be color on the nails? Can I wear a vamp color on my nails? Your nails should always be chip, cuticle and hangnail free. A good buff for men is appropriate. Color for women should be neutral. The visual story you want your hands and nails to display is a fresh, clean and neat look that says I am healthy and youthful.

You can only be heard in a meeting if you speak up. Here are some ways to practice speaking up before you go to a meeting. They will also prepare you to talk if you are called upon when you least expect it (especially in a group setting).

• When you are alone, talk out loud. For example, read the road signs when you’re driving or do a monologue about what you see around you.

• Call your cell phone once a day and leave your opinion on a business situation.

• Be sure to have coffee or lunch once or twice a week with a colleague to stretch your speaking muscles. (This is also good networking).

• Before you go into a meeting warm up with voice exercises.

• Join a Toastmasters Club.

Doing good work and making a positive impact to an organizational success is only recognized if you are heard.

A New York Times (NYT) Sunday article featured Mario Batalli, chef, cookbook author, television personality talking about working in his kitchen. His philosophy and communication style as leader is that you do not have to shout to work with each other.

The culture in the kitchens of many restaurants is to yell to communicate. The high pressure, time sensitive, noisy environment lends itself to this.

On Tuesday, August 28, acclaimed chef, Charlie Trotter, was featured in the Chicago Tribune because his restaurant is closing on Friday. He discussed what he did to change the atmosphere and talked about chefs who became famous but may have paid a high price for that fame.

So, here we have two celebrated chefs, successful leaders in their own field and businesses, with two different styles. One style was forged twenty some years ago and the other is relatively current.

The questions to answer are what works best for you, does it benefit you and do you learn from it?

In a recent New York Times article, the CEO of Four Square stressed the importance of allowing others to know you. I firmly believe it is critical to network inside your organization—to reach across the aisle and functions to touch base with others. This can be done via a quick cup of coffee, breakfast or lunch.

Besides the inherent value of building relationships, it also adds to your knowledge of their group – technologies, current business and people events. Folks move up in the organization because of people who know them. In today’s rapidly changing work environment (with flexible hours and virtual teams), we often don’t have the luxury of reaching across the lunch table to say hello.

Nonetheless, commit to having lunch with a co-worker at least once a week. Doing this will broaden your exposure and at the same time educate you about the organization from another viewpoint.