I admit it. I'm a news junkie. I won't even claim to be a recovering news junkie.
And in watching the presidential campaigns that are in full swing, I'm reminded that TV is the leading role model of communication in 2008. Whether we like it or not, that's the reality.
Consider the care with which both campaigns handle visual cues for the leaders in their party — even to the point of how this year's vice presidential picks look standing next to their respective candidates for president.
Even when jumping out of a helicopter, Republican candidate John McCain never has a hair out of place. When he is campaigning in shirtsleeves and khakis, his shirt and pants are immaculate. The message his appearance delivers is "competence." It is evocative of his military background. It underscores his leadership.
His running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, is a handsome woman whose first few photos released by the press showed her at hearings with a stylish, but not fastidious, appearance. The next video showed her as the candidate's official pick. Her appearance had already been adjusted. Watch. Palin will become more and more "groomed" as the campaign continues.
Message received is keyIf you watched the Democratic convention this week, you may have seen the staff of Hillary Clinton hold FOUR different-colored suits up to the lights at the podium just hours before her speech in order to choose the most powerful color for her. Believe me, I've covered political conventions. Every detail is orchestrated.
Why should this be a topic in a business column? Because no matter what business you're in, whether you wear blue suits or business casual, whether you are part of Gen X, Gen Y or a Baby Boomer, your appearance matters.
If your appearance is pulled together, it sets you apart. The rule of thumb is: "Be in style, not stylish." It defines you as a leader, as capable, as someone who attends to detail.
That's the subliminal message you want to deliver. Even celebrity image-makers in the artistic community here in Nashville know that details matter.
Those who say: "It's my performance, not my appearance that matters" are missing the point. It is not about your opinion. It is how others perceive you. Why? Because there is a rule of law in communication backed by years of research. It goes like this: The message "received" is the message.
Joining a group and being active in it helps grow business
Wild, Wild West: Arizona Mandates Licensing For Originators
Freedom and Consumer Greed Are The Keys to Wal-Mart’s Success
