Style, poise and flair are qualities that are difficult to define, but easy to spot. Everyone knows someone who is graced with them, and, chances are, that person is at or on the way to the top of his or her profession.

Certainly a winning image isn't the only factor that determines career success, but it is an important component. In today's highly competitive business world the quest for corporate advancement is complicated by the changing nature of the workplace.

Diversity, job mobility and internationalization present new challenges. Corporate restructuring, downsizing and fierce competition for advancement mean that success requires more than good work and positive attitude. Without the right professional image, even loyal, reliable workers will be more likely to get pink slips than merit badges.

Many people think that all you need are excellent skills to be successful, but in fact, to move up the corporate ladder today you have to understand image, political skills, and attitude. No one is born with a winning image, though some learn it at an early age. Style is acquired.

There are seven elements of a person's image; color, wardrobe, grooming, image objects, communications, protocol, and etiquette. Most people think of image solely in terms of appearance and this is not correct. When it comes projecting the right image you also must consider your personal situation and your goals.

If you want to rise to the top of your field you must remember that everything counts. So your goal should be to look great every day. While color initiates the image-management process you also have to be aware of things like the make of your shoes and your hairstyle.

The biggest problem for aspiring executives is appearance and the nothing does more to add to or take away from a person's image than color. The best colors for a given situation vary according to the role a person will have in it.

For example, you should keep your color combinations subdued if you want to blend in and not outclass the boss, or if you just want to gather information without drawing attention. If you are a leader, though, you need a high level of contrast in your clothing to create a powerful look.

In addition to your choice of colors, there are many other details that you need to pay attention to in projecting the right image:

• Wear quality shoes in current fashions. Shoes should always be high-quality and new-looking.

• Handbags should be new, but briefcases don't need to be. Like shoes, handbags should be exemplary. Briefcases, on the other hand, should look like they are good quality but have been used for a long time.

• The appropriate shirt style depends on your audience. A good rule of thumb for dress shirts is, if your shirt is not custom-made, it should look as if it is. It should have the custom-made detailing and fit.

• Buy quality clothing. You should spend your money on a few pieces of good clothing rather than packing your closet with a lot of second-rate apparel.

• Hair should be neatly trimmed for both men and women. For example, many business executives say that they don't take a man or a woman seriously if they have long hair.

To have a winning image, good communication skills are crucial. In business, the foundation of effective communication is empathy, the ability to understand the needs of coworkers, employees, clients and superiors. The strength of your handshake, tone of voice, and your choice of words all are important to your communication and therefore to your overall image.

Usually people know how to relate to those below them but not to those above them. If you want to establish good rapport with your superiors then you need to show respectful deference in both business and social situations and avoid any false camaraderie.

Most people are unaware how important a proper introduction is to projecting the right image. For example, when you're at a business function you should always introduce the person of lesser importance to the person of greater importance. If you have a president of a company who is a woman and a customer who is a man, the woman should be introduced to the man because in that relationship, the customer is the more important person.

A positive attitude can be the make-or-break factor that separates people headed for the top from those who will spend their lives in middle management. Your attitude towards others is either the biggest asset or biggest liability in business because it is connected to your "inner image." Your inner image is the reputation and relationship you have with yourself regarding your self-image, belonging, purpose, and competence.

The first step in improving your inner image is to examine your perceptions of yourself and others. The best way to do is by examining your lifestyle, relationships and goals. Ask yourself a couple important questions: "If you could make a wish list, what would you change? What do you like about yourself?" The answers to these questions will help you find out what your values are.

Projecting the right image is internal. It will raise your awareness and cause you to have a more positive and gracious attitude. You'll become more sensitive visually, kinesthetically and aurally.

To move up the ladder of success you must always put your best foot forward in everything you do, from appearance to environment to the way you treat others. The rest is up to you!

Copyright©2007 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide