Giving someone a second chance is critical for long term survival and success. Mistakes and not so smart decisions happen to everyone. What matters is how we recover by giving others and ourselves a second chance. The folks who continue to dwell on their mistakes and wrongs done by others will never reach their full potential. It is good to learn from our mistakes and then let them go by allowing and embracing a second chance.

Avoid using Twitter to express negative thoughts or comments. It is better to use Twitter to promote positive actions like recognizing good service, products, and people. Positive promotion is much more effective than tweeting negative comments.

It is not acceptable to hold hands in a professional setting. Touching is allowed if you have permission to help someone up and down stairs by using your hand to support an elbow. Patting someone on their shoulder or arms is not acceptable. Hugging only works with peers when there is a long-term relationship and permission has been asked and granted.

Leaders show up acting like leaders and project a sense of authority not intimidation. This is a prime trait of successful leaders I have worked with. They are not all in the C-Suite or even necessarily want to be there, but the true leader, no matter what the title, is respected within and outside of their communities.

• Posture – stands straight

• Walk – moves confidently – nor rushed or hesitant

• Facial expression – flashes an easy smile

• Clothing – fits with ease

• Integrity – projects honesty

• Communication – speaks with authority

• Kind – treats everyone with respect

Is it fabric or style that determines when clothing becomes too casual? We want a firm finish or wrinkle-free fabrics in a shirt, pants, or dress of choice. Often, these questions come up when choosing clothing for the office. Err on the polished side when making these decisions. When it comes to trends, stay away from the fads and wait styles out for at least two seasons.

I remember a situation when presenting to a group of high profile attorneys. One of the senior female partners wore a cropped pants suit. Those slacks took a while to take hold to begin with and are now out of fashion. Choose classic cuts with a modern flare. For example, Amal Clooney always wears classic cuts with a different slant to them like a flowered pencil skirt with a tailored sweater.

A recent MSNBC business program featured icons and their uniforms including Steve Jobs with his black turtleneck and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg with a gray tee shirt. I recall that when DreamWorks was formed, Steven Spielberg wore a bomber jacket, David Geffen sported a mock tee, and David Katzenberg of Disney favored the shirt and tie.

The point is that there appears to be an unwritten rule of notable leaders branding themselves with clothing including a client CEO of a Fortune 500 company who always donned a jacket and skirt. All these folks wore their uniforms well, seemed comfortable, and stayed consistent because a uniform must be comfortable and fit well.

While on a project for an automobile company, we ensured that front-line employees uniform choices represented the company and the employee well. We focused on pride in wearing clothes that were comfortable and easy to care for. Many top companies make this investment when providing uniforms for front-line staff. Make sure you invest in yourself in your uniform.

Recently, a well-known designer sold out a dress with a flower pattern on half of the dress and stripes on the other side. It was a shirt dress style designed to be worn in a business casual or party event setting. This major pattern style change shattered the mold of a small pattern with a stripe. This new trend has yet to make it to the next season. However, it fits with the current pattern explosion in dresses and men and women’s shirts. The one rule of the thumb is that the person should be wearing the clothing, not the clothing wearing the person.

Ruffles on blouses for women have been trending these last few years. This began with a simple ruffle at the hem of the sleeve around the wrist, eventually building to a three quarter sleeve. The most current rendition is layers of ruffles that end at the elbow of the sleeve. Unless the person wearing the blouse is very slender, this trend in blouses will add inches to the chest and in some cases, project a very costume-like look.

An essential piece for the complete wardrobe is a versatile black dress. Recently, a client called in a panic. She needed a black dress for a very serious occasion and has worked herself into a state of panic. We bought a black dress with a jacket about 15 years ago, but she never wore it. She took it out, tried it on (it still fit), and brought to the cleaners for their one-day service. She found her pearls, dark hose, and black shoes making her ready for the occasion the next day! She was relieved at rediscovering the perfect dress she already vetted rather than having to go through the stressful process of rush-buying a new dress.

Personal external and internal brand impacts need to connect with others and the environment. For example, you can sell the best tasting hot dogs but if the group you’re in is vegetarian not only will the offering not work, it might even be ridiculed. Showing up and projecting your best is just the foundation. You also need to create a splash in sounds, actions, and delivering what is valued to establish an effective brand impact.

Remember, you can be the best artist but if you are playing in an accounting environment, your artistry will be perceived as useless.