Your professional image is the last place you want to compromise.  Here are 3 quick ways to look and feel good at work:

Dress Sharp

It is a fact that if you look good, you feel good.  This is especially true at the office.  Casual Fridays are great, but even then, you should take pride in the way you look.  Dress for the part you want, and, in the way, you want to be perceived.  In the world of business, there are few things as powerful as a suit and tie.  Invest in at least one tailor-made suit.  Partner it with a classy tie and you will feel as great as you look.  The confidence booster this gives will allow you to focus your attention on networking, or any project you might be working on.

Set an Example with Your Attire

Your leadership, peers, and clients will give you respect when you dress the part.  They will know that you are serious and ready to work.  Once you start working with your team you can get a feel for how they dress.  If they dress more casually then you can dress down a little.  Still, you should always dress a little sharper than expected.  Stay sharp and stand out.

Good Hygiene

Have you ever wanted to toss a breath mint into someone’s mouth while they are talking?  You do NOT want to be that person, so remember the lessons mom taught you!  Wash your face, brush your teeth, and comb your hair.  You never know who you will meet throughout the day, or when you will meet them.  Bathe regularly, shave, use mouth wash, trim your nails, etc.  You do not want to be the one that everyone talks about negatively.

Take the time and put in a little extra effort when getting ready, and avoid having to worry if your appearance is up to par.  If you do not put in the effort here, who will believe you will put the effort in at work?  Take a few extra minutes and polish up.  Dress sharp but stay conservative.  Show your fun side but do it in a classy way.

As a manager, your turnover rate will be watched.  Retaining employees is your responsibility in more ways than you might realize.  Employees tend to leave their managers, not their jobs.  This means someone will work a job they hate with a manager they respect before they stay in their dream job with an unqualified manager.  As you develop your leadership skills, you will realize that it is possible for employees to love their job and respect you as a manager.  You will also see your retention rate increase, right along with productivity.  Here are 3 quick ways to get on track with both:

Passion

Your passion as a manager must be contagious.  This does not mean you stand in your office and fist pump yelling “SHOW ME THE MONEY!” like this guy.  It does mean you have a vision and you believe in what you are doing.  When your team sees you working toward a goal with verve, they will want to be a part of it.  Enthusiasm is catchy (think of sporting events and how just a small section starting a chant can spread through the entire arena).  This will lead to greater productivity and a better chance of reaching your overall goals.  A team who is confident in their skill set and knowledge is a team that succeeds.  As a manager, be consistent in educating and training your team, and help them elevate their success.

Recognition

There are very few people who do not like to be told they did a good job.  Acknowledge your team and their accomplishments.  In terms of building morale, this is one of the best things you can do.  A simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way so say it.  A manager I know used to thank her employees each evening when they left.  During the day, they knew it was ‘go’ time and the work needed to get done, but at the end of every day she took a moment and thanked them for a job well done.  If there was something specific she would mention it, but they left work each day knowing they were appreciated.  This is especially important if your employees had a bad day.  You can take it a step farther and reward your team with trophies, plaques, or certificates, or have an “Employee of the Month”.  If you choose a tangible reward, present it in front of their peers.  This will make the employee feel good and create a sense of healthy competition among their co-workers.

Create Opportunities

You had dreams of advancing in your job, so chances are members of your team do, too.  Be proactive in developing your team and helping them reach their goals. Many managers lack in this area because they think if they create a great employee that employee will take what they know and go somewhere else.  While it may seem counter intuitive, mentoring them to greatness will create loyalty. One day they may outgrow their position and want to pursue other goals, but it will be for personal growth, not because you were an inadequate manager.

As a leader, strive to earn your team’s respect and promote their development.  Set clear, obtainable goals, provide positive feedback, and guide them every step of the way.  Then watch the productivity and retention increase, along with the team morale.

We have all heard you only have one chance to make a good first impression.  As a manager, this could not be more true.  You will be sized up from first sight to the final handshake; your first word to your final goodbye. Your colleagues and peers will develop their opinion of you during the first minute of meeting you.  Here are 3 quick ways to make a great first impression:

Punctuality

This is a 100-level trait – be on time and respect the time of others.  If you are not at meetings and ready to go, 15 minutes early, then you are late.  Few things are worse than being late for a meeting, especially a first meeting.  Be on time, dressed to impress, and ready to go.

Appearance

Always dress for the position you want.  Your appearance is the first thing you will be judged on, so dress the way you want others to see you.  This is why the suit and tie, or pantsuit, is still the norm in business.  Your appearance extends to your grooming and body language. Before you head out the door, stand in front of a mirror and make sure you are presenting your best self.  Then put a smile on your face, confidence in your step, and head out.

Handshake

Your handshake says a lot about you and sets the tone for the rest of the conversation.  This is not the time to be shy, timid, or show your strength.  You want to come off confident but not cocky.  A firm handshake is the goal.  This will show confidence and give you a great start.

You have one chance to kick off this new relationship, so take the time to prepare and do it right. Look sharp, be on time, and deliver a confident handshake.  Put your phone on silent and put it away.  Finally, be aware of your body language and listen more than you talk.