A photo:

• Should not be more than four years old

• Should be replaced if your hair coloring or style changes drastically (like from a blond to a red head)

• Should be updated if you gain or lose more than 20 pounds

You always want to look like you just stepped out of your photo when someone first meets you.

The life of your photograph is best served with different clothing choices and in some cases even a different pose. The reason for this is that your audience is usually different for each site. The purpose of your photo is to connect to the viewer and give them a sense about you. So, wearing a very casual outfit will be fine for your personal Facebook page but not for your LinkedIn profile.

If you choose the appropriate neckline and color to balance a bib necklace, you will wear the necklace; the necklace will not wear you.

The key for a beard to look sharp is to keep it maintained and worn close to the face. Beards look best as a neat face cover as opposed to allowing them to grow beyond the chin and down the neck. Scraggly beards will make the person look old and unkempt.

Over time, wearing high heels can shorten calf as well as back muscles, leading to pain and spasms.

“Any time you wear shoes that restrict the natural shape of your foot, you’re at risk for experiencing pain,” noted physician, Dr. Nevins, points out. According to him, many women who wear high heels often also suffer a shortening of the Achilles tendon because once the heel is pointed upwards, it tightens up. Stretching it again or switching to flats can be very painful and even lead to plantar fasciitis.

Wearing the two-inch stacked heel will save your back and feet. Now, with Tory Busch and other notable shoe designers re-introducing them, you have a chance to be stylish too.

You can also address the issue yourself but that can be a little tricky. You have to go into it with a very open, non-threatening, non-judgmental spirit. And even then, the person may not want to speak with you face to face about it.

Business casual will always be confusing just because it is not viewed the same way for all business professions.

Here are some guidelines:

Professional Services (Finance and Accounting)

• Polished and upscale

- Tops include oxford shirts and sweater sets in heavier fabrics and shapes

- Slacks in fabrics (like gabardine) that shape the body

- Shoes in polished leather or microfiber

Technology

• More relaxed

- Tops include knit shirts and simple blouses with or without collars

- Slacks in cotton or linen

- Shoes can be more casual – sporty styles

Never wear wrinkled or torn clothing. Stay away from sweatshirts, cut offs and clothing that reveals too much skin.

If you are a female in management, a piece of signature jewelry is good.

For a male manager consider a tie, sweater vest and high-end accessories.

Follow these guidelines and your business casual attire will not be mistaken for weekend wear.

• Men have an easier time handling colors in either a shirt or tie. (Neutral slacks are always best.) There are some shirts for men with unique designs and an abundance of color. The key is to make sure the shirt does not wear you. You wear the shirt.

• For women, the pop of color can be shown off in a jacket, shirt or shoes. But do not wear more than three colors at once and be careful on how you situate them.

When color is used wisely it can lift one’s mood, make inexpensive items look expensive and make a person appear younger.

One way is for the team leader to have a one on one conversation with this individual about shared expectations and what is the best for the team and organization. The second way is to have a team meeting with an open dialog on the key elements of impactful communications. Outline acceptable methods of how to handle any potential conflict and decide on the best way to agree to disagree.

The most important thing is ensure the team is successful as a group.

Just recently I was with a client who experienced this issue. To cope with it, she wore clunky, wide, comfort shoes. But they looked like black work shoes. I recommended she buy colorful shoes because they would look funky but fun. Dansko is a wonderful brand with fun styles that turn what may be unattractive shoes into a pair of stylish footwear.