By Gail Morgan (United Kingdom)

What is the most overlooked ‘missing piece’ when helping individuals with confidence and achievement goals? (Particularly when coaching on public speaking nerves, interview technique &/or self-assurance in the workplace.) It is how the individual presents themselves.

We are probably all familiar with, and no doubt regularly employ, the famous ‘Mehrabian’ model around communication (7% words, 38% tone, and 55% body language). But do we always present both sides of the ‘body language’ equation? Because the rarely taught subject of appearance, or the way we look, is such a critical element of the message our body language portrays.

First impressions really do count, so how we speak, the way we stand and how we are dressed will often tell someone a lot more about us, than the words that we use. If we make a “bad” first impression it has been found that it can take up to 21 further interactions to get back on a “level playing field”.

Source: iCN Issue 6 (Personal Style & Wellness Coaching); pages 17-18

About Gail Morgan

Gail is one of the most experienced and highly qualified image coaches and trainers in the industry. She is passionate about simplifying the art of getting dressed so that her clients feel comfortable and confident in their clothes. Gail has been an image consultant for over 20 years, working with thousands of private and corporate clients and delivering image training to numerous people around the world. In that time she has been President of the Federation of Image Professionals International (FIPI), an Assessor for the FIPI / City & Guilds Master Award in Image Consultancy and a Consultant Fashion Advisor for John Lewis Partnership.