This is a client comment: “I could not get over what an inch or two off my sleeve or the length of my top did to make me look thinner.”

These are the five areas where an inch really does matter:

• Sleeve length
• Sleeve width
• Jacket length
• Letting out or bringing in at the waist of a top or jacket
• Adding a half-inch pad to the shoulder

So remember an inch can be a tipping point to appearing thinner instead of wider.

Too many times pictures of folks on their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles do not look like them. Your photo needs to be a professional one – not a glamour shot you cannot live up to.

For example, make sure the picture shows you wearing your hair as you usually do. For women, if you typically don’t wear make-up, be sure the photo gives the appearance of natural makeup—not too heavy.

The only item you can fudge is glasses. You don’t need to have a photo with them on if you only wear them occasionally. But I do recommend you eventually have photos taken with glasses if you wear them all the time.

Overall, make sure your online profile picture looks like you.

There are many style shirts for both men and women that can be worn out and look very appropriate. The key is to know when it works professionally.

When going out casually men have worn shirts out as it is the very hip style these days. However, for professional situations the shirt should always be tucked in. For women, wearing a shirt out has become very acceptable. Make sure the length keeps it neat and to the body proportions (above the hip line) and that the shirt cuts straight across the bottom.

In a recent Jay Leno show a Republican presidential candidate was the guest. Jay is an easy interviewer and a moderate Republican so it seemed like the guest should have been comfortable. Instead, he was very wooden and stiff. His posture shouted: I am uncomfortable and not too likable.

Not everyone is going to have a natural ease about themselves. However if you are going be in the public eye, practice and exercise your body so you convey a fluidness and ease in front of the public.

Here a few suggestions:
• If you can take a workshop, I highly recommend an improv class (I took one and it helped me tremendously)
• Stretch before you present or are going to be interviewed
• Take a dance or yoga class

I firmly believe the folks who can appear naturally relaxed in front of an audience practice it. Plus, a few fortunate ones probably began speaking early in front of an audience. Avoid being perceived as wooden. It takes so much work to change that perception.

Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets), belts, shoes and watches are accessories that should enhance your style.

Proportion, appropriateness and how the individual wears them are critical to the effect. Accessories should be a style enhancer only.

A tip to determine what does not work is when the accessory becomes the topic of conversation as in: “Did you notice her red shoes or did you notice that belt buckle.” Then, the accessories may be too much. Remember that you are the center of attention. Accessories are just to polish your shine.

At a recent event Dee Dee Myers, the former press secretary for Bill Clinton, talked about being authentic as women. She mentioned how often we forsake this piece of us because we want to fit in, especially in the professional world. This is true of both genders. It is difficult, especially in this economic environment, but in the long haul you will not be happy if you’re not authentic.

So, I recommend to clients to keep a log on major and minor issues. The log will help define the important situations. Secondly, take a reading of your physical being because I believe internal instincts should never be ignored. Lastly, you can always get a dose of reality by checking with a good friend or colleague. 

By keeping these check points in mind you will not have to give up your true self. Being true to yourself will help you be your professional best.

How many times do we neglect to just say thank you to a compliment? We instead offer reasons why we don’t deserve the nice words said about ourselves. It is not being modest or humble to bring up what went wrong. What you are doing is not respecting the giver of the compliment.

So, the next time someone pays you a compliment say thank you. Tell them how much you appreciate they noticed whether the comments were about a piece of clothing or a project you were successful at.

Just say “Thank You.”

At a recent event, you could tell the high level executives from the ones who were not by what they carried. For example, I travelled with a colleague who had a bunch of papers in her hands plus some other items. Was it too much? No, because she was able to carry it in a combination purse/briefcase. I understand the trend is small purses, but if you need to bring documents, a larger one is acceptable.

Then there was another attendee with a heavy backpack (she called it her office). Avoid that. The same for the roller bag. It makes one look like an assistant instead of a professional.

Since we were at a hotel, they could have checked their bags with the bellman and picked them up later. Remember less is more.

Carrying too many bags is too much baggage!

In the movie “Father of the Bride,” Steve Martin thought he could wear a tuxedo that he had not worn for a while. I was reminded of that recently while at a formal event. At the gathering there were quite a few men who appeared to be a little too “successful” for their tuxedo.
 
Here are some tips for you to be able to tell if your tux does not fit anymore:

• The pants continue to slip past the stomach
• The tuxedo shirt splits at the button holes around the stomach
• The jacket is tight around the back and around the chest.

It is easy to get a new shirt and your pants can be let out up to 3” if they have not been altered before. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to add to the back of a tuxedo jacket without creating a visible seam.

So, if you experience any of the scenarios above, my recommendation is that it may be time for a new tuxedo. You want to look elegant – just like George Cooney!

A key component of a true executive and leader is to be able to manage time effectively. Being constantly late and rushed projects a very poor image. It indicates a lack of organizational ability.

Stephen Covey has a program called “Focus” which provides time management skills. One major tip is to plan only 75% of your day. That leaves room for dealing with the unexpected. It is understood that as you gain additional responsibilities and more prestigious titles, that time becomes more important than money.

So, when you complete what you have prioritized for the day, and no emergencies have popped up, refrain from adding more to do’s to your day. Instead, use the extra time for strategic planning.

When you can do this consistently, you will be managing your time effectively.