NEGOTIATION TIP: Look the Part – that means for whatever you are doing, work, fun etc, look the part for what you are doing and the formality or non formality of the event/meeting.

People often don’t look like their marketing materials (old photo, different hairstyle/color etc) and that causes lack of trust. Someone has to take time to process why you don’t look like the photo and in some cases if you are the same person.

Also, look the part for fun events you attend. I was at a nice beach wedding on the weekend and saw women struggling to walk on the sand in their stilt high heels. Take them off, walk on the sand then put them back on. Why take the risk of serious injury in that situation? One woman spent most of the wedding having to rock and balance on her heels. They were at least 6″ high and it looked dangerous.

We are a visual society.  It’s important to look the part in whatever you do, it’s a part of every negotiation.