| Have you noticed how Mr. Obama's every actions, | | | | that we should always think carefully about what we |
| words, clothes, ties (and colour of his ties) has been | | | | wear for our jobs for the simple reason that when |
| discussed in newspapers, radio reports and by TV | | | | we feel comfortable with what we are wearing we |
| journalists? Is it any wonder given we live in an age | | | | will look, sound and feel more confident and positive. |
| where we are surrounded, bombarded even, by | | | | This then creates the impact of others having |
| visual images from large advertising hoardings to the | | | | confidence in us. |
| tiny images on our mobile phones. Politicians are now | | | | Back to Mr. Obama as a role model for a great 30 |
| as famous as film stars, actors and sports | | | | second impact. He appears to have an innate flair for |
| personalities. | | | | knowing how to wear a suit. Mr. Obama has covered |
| Therefore it is no surprise that part of Mr Obama's | | | | miles and miles across the USA delivering speeches, |
| bid for the White House incorporated an instinctive, | | | | presentations and interviews and appears to have |
| confident and yet comfortable ease in knowing how | | | | rarely put a foot wrong in how he presented himself. |
| to dress for success. | | | | He instinctively knows when to wear a crisp white |
| Why does his image matter? Well we all need to | | | | shirt which somehow retained its crispness and |
| manage our appearance because it gives off a visual | | | | brightness from the morning press briefing to a final |
| statement about our personality and what is | | | | meeting at the end of an increasingly busy day. He |
| important to us. Our image demonstrates how | | | | seemed to also instinctively know when to wear his |
| confident we feel about ourselves and also can give | | | | tie and when to take it off depending on the |
| or take away credibility and gravitas. We have 30 | | | | meeting and the company he was keeping at that |
| seconds to make a first impression and that first | | | | time. He has been seen in navy blue and black suits |
| impression can last up to 15 years or up to 8 years | | | | which is different from the more conventional political |
| for a President. | | | | choice of dark grey suits that other politicians tend |
| At 6ft 1 ½ and being slender in build Mr. | | | | to be seen wearing. Black is a more edgy 'on trend' |
| Obama could be a natural model who looks as good | | | | colour which appeals to younger voters. Black as a |
| in elegant black suits as he does in his smart casual | | | | colour also means 'I can be trusted in difficult times', |
| attire (the latter he adopts particularly when he is | | | | it is not an extravagant colour. |
| meeting children). His approach to his presidency was | | | | Not only does Mr. Obama dress for success he looks |
| that of a new recruit applying for a new job. He paid | | | | entirely comfortable in his suits and smart casual |
| attention to his communication skills, his qualifications | | | | attire. That is something all gentlemen might envy |
| (again written about at length) and he paid particular | | | | when they are wearing trousers too tight, jackets |
| attention to his personal image (his manners, | | | | which are badly fitting or a tie which says more |
| grooming and clothes). He knew it wasn't a strictly | | | | about the tie than about the guy. Have you ever |
| conventional 'job hire' however it was a 'job hire' | | | | remembered a man's tie but not what he spoke |
| nonetheless with millions of votes at stake. So a key | | | | about? |
| message for everyone - men and women alike is | | | | |