You step up in front of the group to make your presentation. (One person, ten, a hundred, it makes no difference.)  In that instant, before you open your mouth to say anything, your audience has made decisions about you - right or wrong. (We’ve all done it.) They’ve evaluated your hair, your face, the way you dress and the way you walk.  If you haven’t taken control of your image in those first seconds you’ll now have to battle to re-shape their possibly wrong impressions.

So how do you create a powerful and commanding image?  How do you transmit that you’re smart and knowledgeable in those crucial first seconds? 

Personal Presentation Power Point:  My first suggestion is wear a short, bold necklace to frame your face, because that’s where your power is, your brain.  It’s the bottom frame on the portrait. It will bring their eyes to your face and keep them there, and slow them from roaming to your chest, which is where most men tend to look next.

A bold choker conveys power. Remember Nancy Pelosi and her bold Tahitian Pearls the first time she was introduced as Speaker of the House? How about Andrea Jung, Chairman of Avon, and her ever-present, multi-strand choker? Ever notice that most royalty and military tend to keep a lot of their important and glittery, rank and status symbols high up on their collars or shoulders?

You’re a woman.  Take advantage of one of the few feminine advantages you can use to convey power and authority.  Jewelry.   Jewelry gives you an edge.  I call it your Accessory Edge. You wear a great suit. So does a man.  You wear a beautiful blouse.  He wears a custom shirt and a bold tie. Killer brief case.  Good shoes.  Enviable watch.  Same.  Same.  Same.  But, you wear a bold and colorful choker that highlights your face, and conveys boldness and power and he can only answer with cuff links.  He’s hit the “Stone Ceiling.”

Here are a few ideas for when you shop for that great choker…

1. Look for large, semi-precious stones that work with your coloring, hair and  clothing.
2. Silver is usually more business-like than gold. And, more affordable.
3. Make sure you can return or exchange it if you try it on at home with the outfits you plan to wear it with and it doesn’t work.
4. And, always buy the best quality you can afford. It’s an investment. It’s your signature. It’s part of your personal presentation.
5. But, please stay away from diamonds at work. (Except, possibly, a small pair of earring studs.) Diamonds are fine for social occasions, but speak more about other things than your style and ability in the office.

Adding that one strategic piece of jewelry, the choker, will enhance the professional persona you exhibit, and lift your level of sophistication.  Enjoy experimenting with it to find the look that best fits you. 

By the way, an interesting book on the power of those instant impressions is Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, 2005.

Article written exclusively for w2wlink.com, the premier online community for women working smart and living well.