Dress and Speak Like You Are Already at the Top  

You have likely heard the old sayings, “Dress for the job you want” and “Fake it ‘til you make it.” There is a reason that these are still repeated–they offer great advice! If you want to climb the corporate ladder, you should be dressing and speaking like you are already at the top.

Dressing the Part 

So, how do you dress like a manager, executive or expert? You may want to start by observing how the individuals in those roles at your company dress, because that may help you define professional attire for your specific organization. Do they consistently wear casual clothing, or do they prefer to wear business suits and dresses? Do they wear the latest trends, or do they tend toward more conservative looks?

Once you think you have the basic style down, emulate it, but with your own twist. You don’t want to dress exactly like your boss–that can come across as creepy to your manager and irritating to your co-workers. You are an individual, and you should maintain your personal style. In fact, many managers appreciate their employees’ uniqueness because they believe it eliminates groupthink and makes the organization stronger.

Whatever look you decide to wear, wear it well. No matter how gorgeous the suit or dress might be, it won’t look its best if you look like you just rolled out of bed wearing it, or it is two sizes too big or small. If you hate ironing, hang your garment in the shower to steam out the wrinkles. And if you need to lose a few pounds for it to fit properly, wait to wear it until you do. It’s important to look clean and professional.

The same goes for accessories. Everyone has their own style and preferences, but the best advice is to keep it simple. If you are wondering if something is too excessive to wear to work, it probably is. And even if it isn’t, you will be worried about it all day, which will lower your confidence and productivity, the two most important things necessary to get ahead. So save the tiara with the feathers for the club–don’t let inappropriate accessories distract from the work that you do.

You also don’t want to wear anything that is too revealing. In the office, keep it professional and comfortable. You don’t want anything taking attention away from your capabilities and work ethic. It sounds funny, but you may want to adopt the “Grandmother Rule.” If you picture your grandmother looking at your outfit with disdain, change.

Speaking Knowledgably 

So, how do you converse with the executives above you? That can be a little more challenging, but it is achievable with some extra effort. One of the most important things you can do is to stay informed. The amount of communication coming at you can be overwhelming, but staying up to date on what is happening in your company is crucial. Take the time to read (or at least skim!) those long company communications. Where is the strategy, organization or market shifting? What are the key priorities? Make sure, as well, that you are staying on top of what is happening in the world, especially where it affects your business or market. With internet access everywhere, there is no reason why you can’t stay informed. You always want to sound knowledgeable whenever you are speaking to a leader in your workplace and, if you are in the know, you will feel more confident offering your opinion.

When issues arise, be sure not to complain without offering a solution. It is critical for everyone to speak up to make an organization better, but if you are not willing to be part of the solution, then you may want to keep your thoughts to yourself. Managers don’t like it when employees continually complain without suggesting a way to solve the problem. Problem solving is a critical leadership skill, and it is one that you can demonstrate regardless of your level at the company. Often, the best future leaders are identified by the way they work through an organization’s worst problems.

Looking professional and speaking intelligently aren’t going to get you ahead without experience and hard work. They will, however, ensure that there are no barriers to your success and, most importantly, make you feel as confident as you feel.