On January 29, 2011, I will be the Education Day presenter for the New York Tri-State Chapter of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) later this month. I will be delivering a dynamic, interactive program titled “Empower Your Company Brand.”
The program will be presented on January 29th, 2011 from 9:00 am - 5:00 PM at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. AICI members can earn 0.6 CEU’s and special discounts are available to those who register online on or before January 15th at the event website address (aicinytristate.org/events).
Business Success
January 12, 2011
January 11, 2011
January 04, 2011
Do You Know Your Career Destination?
If you get on the highway without a destination in mind there is no telling where you’ll end up, and even if you do know where you’re going you need preplanned goals along the way. To make it a successful trip you need reservations for lodging, the right clothes for the trip, and maybe GPS coordinates. Your car has to be roadworthy, and your credit better be good unless you plan to carry a suitcase full of cash.
Career goals are no different. If you don’t plan every step of the way – or if you get distracted and take the wrong exit or stop paying close attention to the road – you can experience an unexpected detour or even an accident that leaves you stranded.
Being crystal clear about where you want to go and knowing what you want to achieve is critical. I often work with leaders and high achievers who have a single goal – they want to get promoted. But when the opportunity arises they are lost and confused because they weren’t prepared for it – or they seize the wrong opportunity and it distracts them from their ultimate goal and career dream.
Do you see yourself wanting to become the next Director of Sales, Vice-President of Finance, or the CFO of your organization? Whatever your career aspiration may be, it’s important that you first believe in it, understand it, and picture it in your mind as a cohesive vision.
When you know where you are headed, announce your intention to others – through specific actions, benchmarks, skill sets, and a distinct attitude and personal brand. Most people are afraid to claim this intention for fear that if it doesn’t come true they will have failed. But that is a self-fulfilling mindset for surefire failure. You’ve got to believe it and hold it alive in your mind, regardless of what the naysayers or negative voices in your head are telling you.
Some psychological researchers theorize that when we picture something as being real in our mind and really believe it, our mind has difficulty distinguishing that imaginary self from our real self. The mind begins to accept our imaginary vision and dream as reality. That causes us to naturally act the part and attract our goal to us until it does actually become real. Visualizing in this way is a very powerful tool that many leaders don’t utilize to really bring them success, but it works every time if you do your work!
Here are Six Daily Tips to help you implement this great resource:
1) Believe You Can Achieve It!
You have to really believe with complete confidence that you will receive your next promotion. There can be no negative doubts playing in the theatre of your mind to dilute determination or express weakness. Exude successfulness and attract success.
2) Practice Daily Visualization
Start by thinking about how it feels to “be” at the next level. Try to experience the emotional rewards of that prized promotion and use them to fertilize the seeds of your vision throughout the day. If you really want to get promoted it must become a vivid mental photograph that you refer to and add details to every single day.
3) Set Your Goals with a Strategic Plan
Knowing the end game is not enough. You also need a long game that gets you from point A to point B. What developmental feedback have you received regarding what you need to do to qualify for a promotion, and what steps are you taking to accomplish those things? Outline the goals, being specific, and break down bigger goals into more manageable bite-sized chunks. That way you’ll reach incremental goals along the way to give you a continual sense of accomplishment that fuels your momentum.
4) Don’t Quit When Things Get Tough
If I had decided to quit each time I faced a new challenge or setback I would never have worked at Macy’s. But I toughed it out and was rewarded with a fantastic 26-year career in an outstanding organization. Then I faced the bigger challenge of going out on my own to start my own company. Now I have the challenge of expanding that business to build on my recent successes, but I am more confident than ever because every time I’ve embraced the challenges they have prepared me to play a bigger game in life. Yes, you’ll be nervous and maybe a little scared – but harness those feelings and use them as impetus to push you forward and you’ll be amazed at how much strength you get as that brave “can-do” attitude distinguishes you from the competition.
5) Go the Extra Mile
Every week I talk to top management in Fortune 500 companies and they tell me that what they are looking for in today’s difficult economy is self-motivated people who go the extra mile to exhibit natural leadership without being asked. If you only do the minimum then you will be noticed and remembered for that. Show your organization that you are not mediocre but have unique value and are eager to assume more responsibility. Focus on those attributes and you won’t have to ask for a larger salary and prestigious title because those who are looking for great leaders will identify you and proactively seek you out for promotion.
6) Learn the Art of Getting Promoted
I’ve always enjoyed being a short-cut girl, so I love to work with people who have already mastered whatever it is I am trying to do. It’s like standing on the shoulders of giants. This saves me a lot of time and money in the long run. That’s why I offer my own unique blend of experiences and expertise to those leaders who want to advance quickly up the corporate ladder. I can be their champion or giant.
One thing I have completely mastered over the past 30 years is the process of getting promoted in record time, and if you want to enjoy the same kind of rapid success I can show you how. I went from the accounting department to a position as a top executive, and I did it in just 18 months – after being told that I was not management material. Then I brought lots of my colleagues and protégés along by showing them the same strategic process.
I’d love to hear from you if you have some other ideas you think are important for helping leaders keep on track, motivated, and successful about their next big career move up the ladder..
Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:
Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.
Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.
Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com
Copyright © 2011, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS
December 22, 2010
20 Business Leadership Tips Every Corporate Leader Must Know
If you’ve been a leader in your corporation for any length of time, I’m sure you’ve experienced a few management blunders or embarrassing moments. I know throughout my career with Macy’s Inc I made more than just a few leadership mistakes. I quickly rebounded and learned my lessons, which is how every executive today learns to become a better leader.
Today leaders need to be aware of how to navigate this new complex and changing business landscape. Your professional presence is under heavy scrutiny every day. Yes, you are under the microscope daily and everyone is watching how you look, act, behave and communicate. It’s always the total package of how you exude real presence.
In the below link to Steve Tobak’s blog post on 12/9/10 entitled, 20 Business Truisms That Can Change Your Life he lists the 20 practical lessons.
This list of the top 20 tips is a great read for every leader to post somewhere in their office where they can refer to it daily.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts on this blog posts or refer to Steve’s blog to post a comment.
Courtesy of: Steve Tobak - The Corner Office
December 07, 2010
Failures are Just Detours on the Way To Success
I know every top leader I’ve personally coached in large corporations has experienced a painful career failure or two. I know in my own career that these failures were just detours on the way to success so I wanted to share with you how to look at these failures and learn important lessons for your future.
Highly successful leaders have all experience failure in some way, shape or form. But it’s important to realize that lessons learned from failure can catapult us to exponentially greater success. To review your disappointments, be objective and consider what went wrong, what you did right and how you might handle the situation if it arises again. Hindsight is always 20/20, but it can provide valuable insight to help us avoid making the same mistake twice. And all great leaders know that they have to accept responsibility for their failures, regardless of who is actually at fault.
Don’t become a victim and wallow in self-pity. Learn your lessons and change your perspective to leverage this failure to bring your greater success.
Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:
Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.
Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.
Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com
Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS
November 30, 2010
Will You Peer through the Peephole When Opportunity Knocks?
When career opportunities knock many people just peer nervously through the peephole afraid to answer the door. Others crack it open a little – but they leave the security chain on because of deep-seeded fear of success. But when yours comes around I want you to fling open the door and step across the threshold without looking back.
This month I heard a keynote speech given by Judge Glenda Hatchett, the author of the new book, Dare to Dream and the syndicated show, Judge Hatchett. As I listened to her story about changing her career path, it made me think about how true leaders can lead in any industry, regardless of title, position, or salary.
She tells of how she was the highest-ranking African American woman and senior attorney at Delta Airlines. During her career with Delta, someone asked her to become the Chief Presiding Judge of Fulton County, Georgia’s Juvenile Court. She struggled with this decision for some time, wondering whether it was an opportunity or not – until her inner voice asked, “What is your legacy?” She couldn’t answer that question.
Leaving behind a great compensation package and her familiar comfort zone was a big, scary step. But she wanted to reinvent herself as a leader in the judicial system in order to improve the lives of troubled youngsters. The rest is history – now her popular Judge Hatchett show is in its 8th season.
I highly recommend her new book! (To learn more visit the GlendaHatchett.com website.)
When presented with a chance to change roles, accept more responsibility, or apply for a promotion do you sometimes question whether it’s the best career move? I think we’ve all experienced those moments of doubt and indecision. But natural leaders can feel when their work in one position is complete because despite the wealth and power something else essential is missing.
Glenda Hatchett knew that her ability to flourish as a leader at Delta was limited so she accepted it as a stepping stone to her real leadership legacy. Always listen to your intuition when opportunities arise. Don’t say “no” due to butterflies of apprehension. That nervousness is just excitement. Pay attention to your inner voice when it asks you to be courageous about broadening your scope and enhancing your career.
Have you ever had to make a lateral move that wasn’t on your career path the way I have done so many times during my career? Please share with me how you leveraged the experience to get you back on track for a leadership promotion.
Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:
Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.
Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.
Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com
Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS
November 22, 2010
Are You Conveying Confidence or Sabotaging Your Self Esteem?
Two weeks ago I spoke about image, brand, and executive presence at the Linkage Women in Leadership Summit in San Francisco and was asked tons of questions, including one that was wrapped around one of the best compliments I have ever received. Halfway through the presentation a woman asked, “How does one get more confidence?” Before I could answer she did a follow-up by adding, “How can I get what you exude in how you dress, speak and present?” As you can imagine I was really flattered. But I was also touched by the fact that this highly placed executive was – like many women in the corporate world – still struggling with a nagging lack of personal and professional self confidence.
Her question made me immediately think of that restaurant scene in the movie “When Harry Met Sally” when another customer overhears Sally’s passionate moaning and sighing and tells the waitress “I’ll have what she’s having!”
But I know exactly where she was coming from and how she felt. Early in my career with Macy’s I was a total introvert who lacked self-esteem and had a conspicuous lack of executive presence. Fortunately I had some great mentors who believed in me and taught me how to think bigger and push onward even when I didn’t believe in myself.
Superiors told me that I needed to step it up and exude more confidence when corporate executives visited my store, when I called on elite clientele, and when I addressed the 500 associates who worked in my store. I also needed that power and strength when I walked into the HR office or C Suite to convince decision makers that I deserved a promotion.
The problem was that I had a self-sabotaging mindset that held me back – and with that kind of internalized negativity going one nobody could impart to me the confidence I lacked. Like so many others in the corporate arena I was my own worst enemy in terms of career advancement because I was blocking my own path to success as a self-styled confidence saboteur.
But the turning point came when I made up my mind to enhance my personal brand and professional presence. I decided to empower my image in an authentic way because I was determined to accomplish my dreams. I realized that building my confidence was a vital component of my own unique individual and spiritual growth as a person – both in terms of my career and my own private life away from the office.
As I began to experience personal growth, my visibility increased and many more opportunities began to come my way. The transformation didn’t happen overnight because it is a process, not an acute event. But when it did my career leapt forward. I exuded confidence. I felt comfortable and authentic in my personal brand, dress, and communication style. My career acceleration was tangible, and my newly found professional presence was natural, genuine, and sustainable.
So if you hear those little negative or overly timid voices inside your head, know that you must first adopt a positive mindset. Just like when learning to play tennis or golf, it takes practice to develop confidence and poise – but you can do it and I’m living proof of that. Once I figured it out it was like the “secret passageway” to career success and an extraordinary life.
Do you also struggle with confidence? I’d love for you to share your thoughts.
Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:
Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.
Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.
Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com
Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS
October 12, 2010
Punctuality: An essential sign of professional respect
I am amazed that although the world is moving faster than ever and time is increasingly precious, so many professionals remain lackadaisical about synching their schedules in a responsible fashion. We all have 24 hours in a day and lead hectic lives, and it is basic common courtesy to promptly keep the appointments we make with our clients, prospects or team members. Being prompt means you value and respect your own time as well as that of the person or persons with whom you are meeting. How you stay on top of your appointments is a direct reflection on how you conduct the rest of your business, and tardiness instantly tarnishes your professional presence and reputation.
Be on Time
Are you managing your daily calendar to be where you said you were going to be? Sure, things do come up now and then to create unexpected delays, but showing up on time is a matter of personal responsibility. Far too many professionals rely on “excuses” to explain their chronic lack of punctuality, but eventually clients and prospects tire of excuses and will find someone else who behaves promptly. That means you need to allow plenty of extra time for car travel, especially if you live in a congested city like Atlanta.
Learn to expect the unexpected in case you get stopped by a colleague in the hallway, distracted by a last-minute phone call, or stuck on the road because there is a fender bender or a construction zone up ahead. You are fully responsible for getting yourself from point A to point B with grace and ease – and doing so will help ensure that you also get from A to B in terms of your career advancement.
Start on Time
Have you ever had the kind of boss who convenes everyone for a meeting but delays the start of it because one member of the team happens to be late? I understand why they might want to wait until everyone is present so they don’t have to repeat themselves and everyone hears the same message. But the problem with that kind of management is that it is highly disrespectful to the people who held themselves responsible for being there on time. It also sets a terrible precedent and example because it punishes those who are punctual and teaches everybody that it is okay to be late because meetings won’t start without you.
I remember how when I used to work at Macy’s I’d schedule weekly senior level executive meetings every Monday at 2:00 pm. But inevitably there were always one or two stragglers who interpreted that to mean “2-ish.” So finally I began shutting the conference room door and beginning the meetings at the designated time, whether everyone was there or not. Sure enough, those few executives who missed the first half of the meeting felt embarrassed when they had to open the door and disrupt our conversation while they found a seat and tried to get up to speed. After I started doing this, however, the people who respected my time by being on time saw me as a more effective leader because I reciprocated with them by also respecting their time and their own busy schedules.
Have you noticed that everyone these days seems to disregard the importance of punctuality, as if being on time is no longer a hallmark of professionalism or a standard rule of business etiquette? If you have examples or thoughts on the subject – or maybe stories of how the value of your own time has been neglected and disrespected – I hope you’ll express and share them here.
Do you want to use this blog article? You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it: Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level. Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS
October 08, 2010
Don’t Climb Your Way to the Top: Find a Mentor to Pull You
Do you have a strategy to catapult your career to the top? When I was looking to be promoted to a senior
level executive at Macy’s, I always had my career roadmap strategy in place. I absolutely could not have done it without my mentors and strong professional network.
Every one needs someone to guide them along the path to success. You simply can’t make it to the C-suite today without the support of a mentor, the unwritten rules of the organization and someone to believe in you even during those moments you don’t believe in yourself. Every leader needs someone with great connections and influence to help you build confidence to ascend the corporate ladder. In my executive presence coaching, I always talk with my clients about the importance of a strong professional network and strong mentors to help them chart their path with intention.
Here’s a great blog post entitled, Ask-A-Career-Coach How to Get Pulled to the Top that talks about how to get pulled to the top in greater detail. It’s a great must-read.
http://www.theglasshammer.com/news/2010/10/06/ask-a-career-coach-how-to-get-pulled-to-the-top/
Has someone served as a mentor on your corporate journey? How has that benefitted you? Post a comment and share your experiences.
Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:
Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.
Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.
Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com
Copyright 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS
September 30, 2010
VIP Intensive Day
Does your personal presence command with leadership and charisma, or do you ever find yourself in a business situation where your confidence lags and you feel unsure of yourself because you are out of your comfort zone?
Are you hitting your benchmarks, realizing your goals, and enjoying greater career or business success? Or are those valuable promotions, ideal elite clients, and lucrative contracts still eluding you and keeping your lifelong dreams of increased income and personal fulfillment just beyond your grasp and out of reach?
I invite you to spend the entire day with me in Atlanta working with me one-on-one as I coach, consult and advise you on all facets of your Professional Presence ABC’s (Appearance, Behavior, and Communication).
We cover everything from effective power lunches and cross-cultural global business etiquette to non-verbal persuasion and verbal presentation skills for speeches, sales calls, team meetings, and media appearances.
Recent Comments