Creating a powerful first impression

I recently interviewed Sara Canuso on my radio program. Sara is a body language specialist and she is the President of A Suitable Solution, a Philadelphia based image consulting firm.

During the interview, Sara shared some of her personal leadership strategies. Sara also shared strategies to help women create powerful first impressions.

Leadership Strategies

Sara is a very accomplished business leader in her own right. I asked her to share some of her personal leadership strategies.

Her first strategy is to have a clear vision. Clarity of vision allows you to know where you're going. When you have clarity, you communicate confidence and inspire others to trust you and want to follow you. Her second strategy is maintaining her integrity. Sara defines integrity as matching your outward actions with your inner values. Sara's third leadership strategy is keeping a sense of humor. When Sara started her own business, she says that she made many mistakes. It was her sense of humor that allowed her to learn from those mistakes and informed her perspective.

Above all, Sara says that having a focused mind helps her to stand firm and move forward. As an entrepreneur, everyday brings its distractions, but having a clear vision allows her to take the steps she needs to succeed and grow her business.

Personal Development

In developing her own leadership skills, Sara invests heavily in her personal development. She listens to motivational audio CDs, reads books and attends leadership conferences on a regular basis. She believes that it is critical to be surrounded by other positive leaders who will keep you energized and inspired.

Image Tips

During our interview, Sara also shared some image tips for women. Communicating a powerful Image is important for women in leadership roles. Be it fair or not, Sara says, people form an impression about you within 7 seconds of first meeting you. It is that impression that influences whether they will want to do business with you or not. Therefore, walking into a room with a look of power and confidence is an important first step that can influence your future success.

Sara shared about the 3 areas of a woman's personal appearance that should be focused on in order to create that powerful first impression.

1) Posture: You should have good posture. This seems obvious, but it is often overlooked. Good posture communicates confidence. Make sure that you walk with your shoulders back and your head held high.

2) Clothes: Clothing accounts for 95 percent of your image. Make sure that you wear the proper attire for your type of business. Your clothes should also be the right fit and color for you.

3) Shoes: Make sure your shoes are polished and that your heels are not worn out.


To listen to the full interview, go to: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Ellie-Nieves.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

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