Personal Image

Dress for the audience and context.

The speaker's attire is not a superficial matter, but a nonverbal communication tool that establishes hierarchy, belonging and respect.

Attire should be selected strategically according to the audience profile and the nature of the event.

If the context is a corporate board meeting, the use of suit and tie may be necessary to project the expected authority and facilitate acceptance of the message.

Conversely, if the setting is creative, academic or youthful, overly formal attire may create a barrier of aloofness.

In these cases, a more relaxed style (such as jeans and a shirt) may be more effective in generating closeness and appearing approachable.

The general rule of thumb is to dress according to what the audience expects to see in a subject matter expert: a mechanic should look like a mechanic and a banker should look like a banker so that the viewer's brain validates the consistency between image and content.

Consistency between personal brand and appearance

The external image must be aligned with the personal brand and the message being preached.

If a speaker promotes innovation and rule-breaking, his or her attire can reflect that freedom; if he or she promotes discipline and order, his or her appearance should be impeccable.

It is essential to feel comfortable with the clothing chosen; if the speaker feels disguised or physically restricted by an ill-fitting garment, that discomfort will be transmitted to his body language, affecting his confidence. In addition, care must be taken with the "digital footprint."

In the age of social media, a professional's image extends beyond the stage.

Maintaining visual consistency between how you present yourself live and how you appear on your professional profiles avoids cognitive dissonance in the audience.

It is not about uniformity, but about curating the image so that there are no contradictory