Why not wear green hair?

I slogged through the torrential rain that was a residual gift from Hurricane Ophelia this past weekend to deliver a speech on personal branding. Personal branding is one of many components of "redefining professional" and one that is getting great attention amongst my college followers and audiences.

These highly energetic, future workers want to understand

• how to stand out and why can't they wear green hair,

• how to be "themselves" in the workplace and

• ways to leave work at 4 p.m. so they can get home in time to enjoy life.

It's a completely different mindset than most of the current workforce, so much of my conversation was around their expectations versus workplace norms. I'd gently remind them that we are ultimately responsible for our "show up" (and how late we stay at work). Especially with every single societal norm hanging in the balance and being challenged by the members of the universal jury that live on "X", Facebook, and Instagram, it is a timely conversation, and one I enjoy having. As I was wrapping up my session and ending on the psychology of trust through our sense of sight and smell, a member of the audience stood up and asked

"How is it that two people can have on the same thing, and wear it differently?"

Attitude and Reputation!

I told her that everything we wear is based on our attitude and how we feel in our clothes. How people respond to our attire is based on our reputation. Our reputation is what others think of us, and it is our job to make sure they are thinking what we want them to. When our type of professional aligns with our reputation, it's an easy sell. When they are not, you look uncomfortable and inauthentic and are likely going to struggle to connect with anyone in a meaningful way.She commented on my attire and then said she didn't know how I walk around in heels all day. I reminded her, that it's in my job description. I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to become an advocate, educator, and speaker. What do you want to be known for? When you walk into the room what are the first 3 words you want people to remember about you? When you exit are you leaving a lasting scent?

5% of our memories are based on what we see.

35% on what we smell.

What fragrance is your personal brand leaving behind?

Til next time.

Go forth, be great, do all the things! Sybil