Are you a Trusted Advisor, or just giving advice?

You hear this a lot, especially from people who give advice for a living. Could be financial advice, health advice, get-your-kid-into-college advice, whatever. “I’m a trusted advisor to my clients,” they’ll say, as if “trusted advisor” were printed on their business cards. It’s not, usually. And I’m not sure how many of the people who…

Pays To Be Pretty—Or Does It?

At a Professional Presence workshop, we tackled the sometimes-sticky issue of appropriate attire for the office. “Why shouldn’t I wear jeans and a t-shirt?” they wanted to know. “We’re business casual!” My answer: When you get dressed for work, the big issue isn’t what can you get away with today. You’d be better off to…

Barring The Boys’ Club Door

Did you catch the news that 60% of male managers are now uncomfortable in ordinary business activities with women? They worry about mentoring a woman, working alone with a woman, or eating a business dinner with a woman. The research from LeanIn.org found senior men are way more likely to hesitate about doing any of…

Feel It or Fix It?

Rebounding from a misstep must be a universal experience, judging from all the response to my article about getting back on the horse. In blog comments, emails, and social media posts, women thanked me for being open about an uncomfortable experience. Shared their own stories about recovering from a blunder. And told me they appreciated…

What’s Your Power Color?

Turns out, Virginia was exactly right in her color commentary about me. Before we get to that… What’s the best color for YOU? Emory University tells students to watch what they wear in professional settings. Colors, they explain, have an impact on your own energy and on how other people perceive you. Red suggests action,…