Abramoff’s Hat; Condi’s Boots; Charmaine’s Red Dress

A re-post originally written by Jack.

It is said that some 85% of communication is non-verbal. (Dr. Dad says it can be 100% if your wife is mad at you.)

Alert Reader, Steve Rucinski, comments that,

The … lesson I learned early in my business career… is ‘business composure.’ People respect that composure even when circumstances are hectic. My belief is composure is not stilted, never out of control; passion yes, anger no.

As Steve reminds us, composure and image is every leader’s business.

The recent pictures and images of Jack Abramoff, Condoleezza Rice, and even the wife of Your Business Blogger, demonstrate that how you look communicates who you are.

How shallow. How petty.

How true.

The Jack Abramoff scandal is a complicated web of political financing. Neatly topped off with natty headgear. When the press summarizes the story, the picture shortcut is a black hat on Jack. Bad.

Volokh says:

Unfortunately, the one image the public holds of Abramoff is the infamous photo of him leaving the federal courthouse–a shifty-eyed crook clad in trench coat and black hat, bridging the sartorial divide between Al Capone and Boss Tweed.

This will ruin men’s head wear for years. I’ve stopped wearing my hat.

And Charmaine bought boots.

Rice’s black high-heel boots:

As a fashion statement,

absolutely powerful.

Photo Credit:

Michael Probst — AP

Condoleezza Rice is our brilliant, effective Secretary of State. Who looks the part and more. Robin Givhan at The Washington Post writes:

Rice’s appearance at Wiesbaden — a military base with all of its attendant images of machismo, strength and power — was striking because she walked out draped in a banner of authority, power and toughness. She was not hiding behind matronliness, androgyny or the stereotype of the steel magnolia. Rice brought her full self to the world stage — and that included her sexuality. It was not overt or inappropriate. If it was distracting, it is only because it is so rare.

Condi, about the best Secretary of State we could have during the current asymmetrical war, –with Islam, not image– is noted for her footwear. Boots (not) made for walking. Sales of high heeled boots must be spiking.

Condi has the boots; Charmaine has the “Republican-red dress.” (Which is not as nice as Pat Nixon’s Republican cloth coat.)

Last year, in an article on Katie Couric, Vogue magazine covered the Charmaine, Reasoned Audacity v. Naomi Wolf image duel from a November 2004 Today Show appearance.

Does Vogue talk anything about competence? A female conservative Ph.D. with five kids? Nooooo.

Vogue is only interested in looks and appearances. Much like the rest of the world — only a bit more honest about it all.

Vogue writes Charmaine was dressed in a “sharp” red suit, while Naomi looked, well, “luscious” in pink… Vogue thinks Naomi was using pink to send a message — Pink now means: my candidate just lost . . .but don’t move to Canada, the sun will rise tomorrow?

Dr. Mom, aka Janice Crouse, Ph.D., teaches that,

“People will believe the non-verbal, if there is a conflict between what you say and how you look.”

Your Business Composure is your Business Presentation.

Image counts.

Be sure to follow Your Business Blogger(R) and Charmaine on Twitter: @JackYoest and @CharmaineYoest

Jack and Charmaine also blog at Reasoned Audacity and at Management Training of DC, LLC.

Janice Crouse, Ph.D. was a speechwriter for President Bush, 41, and former debate coach at Ball State University.

Steve Rucinski blogs at Small Business CEO and Small Business Trends Radio.

Tom McMahon says image is important, even when kidney stones are attacking and why liberals hate Rush Limbaugh; hint: Big Fat Idiot.

Mudville Gazette has Open Post.