The concept of image management applies to anyone who has ever needed to improve self image, self confidence, capability, and credibility. It applies to anyone who has ever wanted to get an idea across to someone else to influence opinion or action. It is creating an authentic, appropriate, attractive, and affordable image. Intelligence, knowledge, ability, initiative, and effort are vital to success of any kind and ongoing image management can give you the personal or professional presence that you need.
As an individual living and working in a highly complex and competitive society, you must recognize and understand the impact of your image as it communicates first to you and then to others.”
– Judith Rasband
Managing one’s image is the key to success in any walk of life. It is easy to confuse image management with a makeover, or attending a motivational or grooming workshop or getting a new hairstyle or buying new clothes. Image Management is much more than that and it involves ongoing evaluation and better utilization of personal resources.
Drawing a direct comparison between managing a business and managing your image, in a business, there are various roles, played by different people, and they have certain resources at their disposal – people, marketing tools, IT, finances – which they are expected to make optimum use of in order to achieve the goals in their respected roles.
Unlike in a business, where different people have different roles, when it comes to your image, it’s just one person, that is, YOU. You play multiple roles, which could range from being a parent and managing the daily chores at home to going out for parties with your spouse, and interacting with people from different backgrounds. If you’re a working professional, then you also have a professional role to play.
The resources at your disposal are the different Image Elements, which you need to make optimum use of in order to achieve your different goals in personal, professional, and social life. These Image Elements are Clothing, Grooming, Body Language & Etiquette and Vocal Communication. Image management is about making optimum use of all these resources.
Image management involves learning the science and art of optimally utilizing these elements for the achievement of goals in each role that one plays in life. It is the day-to-day management of these resources.
Image matters because people make assumptions and judgments based on very limited information. H. Andrew Michener, John D. Delamater and Daniel J. Myers explain in their book “Social Psychology” that when we observe a single physical characteristic or behaviour in someone, we tend to assume that the person has a number of related qualities too. For example, someone may be perceived as confident because they have a firm handshake. They may be seen as trustworthy because they make eye contact. They may be judged as capable, professional, successful − even wealthy or intelligent − because they are well-dressed.
The reverse is also true. According to Brian Tracy, author of “The Psychology of Achievement”, “many capable men and women are disqualified from job opportunities because they do not look the part”.
Caroline Dunn and Lucette Charette of the National Research Council of Canada found that “people are affected by your appearance whether or not they realize it, and whether or not they think appearance is important”. They found that a first impression has significant and measurable effect on the observer:
Your appearance strongly influences other people’s perception of your Personality, Values, Financial Success, Authority, Trustworthiness, Intelligence, Suitability for hire or promotion
Your personal presentation (communication skills and appearance) influences people’s behaviour toward you, including Complying with your request, Trusting you with information, Giving you access to decision makers, Paying you a certain salary or fee for contracted business, Hiring you or purchasing your product, etc.
These perceptions and behaviours are consistent among observers and persistent over time. In other words, most people will tend to form the same kind of opinions about you based on your appearance.
Your image can have a significant impact on your happiness by affecting the development of friendships and relationships.
It is therefore essential to be able to create a positive first impression, both on personal and professional fronts, by managing your image.
– By NYOU Blog Works
