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Archive for the ‘Step Up’ Category

Why You Should Dress The Part

Posted in Step Up, tagged , on March 12, 2012| 2 Comments »

Dress shoes and a tie

I’m not sure if it’s because I used to be ruefully shy, or if it’s because I’m obsessed with perfection, but I somehow have an appetite for pushing social limits–mostly to see if there’s something I’m missing that I can still learn, but occasionally just out of ennui. One social convention that defies my ability to flout it, is dressing for the occasion.

When I first graduated from school, I applied to several optical stores, optometric practices, and laser surgical centers by just walking around my neighborhood. Sometimes I would wear a dress shirt, tie, and slacks as appropriate for my profession; sometimes I would just waltz into the place in a t-shirt and jeans, or even my gym clothes after a workout!

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Good Boss, Bad Boss, and What You Can Learn From Them

Posted in Step Up, tagged , , , on December 28, 2011| 2 Comments »

1 big silhouette and 3 small silhouettes

Most of us have had the (dis)pleasure of working for someone at some point in our lives.  Some people are a delight to work for and you don’t even feel like you work for them.  These are the so-called good bosses.

Others make your job miserable, milking their work status in order to bleed you dry.  These are the so-called douche ba—I mean, bad bosses.

Employers are rarely just one or the other; they’re usually a mix.  Nonetheless, let’s look at how these prototypes handle different scenarios to see what we can learn.  Though most applicable to managerial skills, with a little reflection, you’ll find that these lessons extend to your personal and even romantic life.

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Secrets of Charisma, part 2

Posted in Step Up, tagged , , on November 26, 2011| 1 Comment »

A grey magnet

This post is a continuation of Secrets of Charisma, part 1 and it is meant to be read in order.

7) Stop correcting.

If he makes a grammatical mistake while he’s arguing with you, don’t correct it just so you can be right about something.

If she doesn’t get the details quite right as she’s recounting your last adventure to a friend, don’t jump down her throat because of a minor detail. If it’s important, you can fill in the gaps or tell your side of the story when she’s finished.

If someone makes a mistake that can’t be corrected, stop bringing it up!　 Focus on what you can change, not on what you can’t. Make people feel good about their decisions.

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Secrets of Charisma, part 1

Posted in Step Up, tagged , , on November 12, 2011| 2 Comments »

A Red Magnet

Charisma is all about making people feel good. The more confidence and purpose you can instill in people, the more magnetic you become. It may not be obvious, but respect is a necessary precondition. Think about the most charismatic person you know. Does he not only make you feel good about yourself, but commands your respect as well?

Sucking up, false flattery, or bending over backwards for someone who hardly cares about you is the opposite of charismatic. Don’t be fooled. Though these actions appear to elevate people, your own debasement makes mutual respect impossible. You cannot pull someone up from below; you will merely be stroking their ego.

Charisma comes naturally to some while others have to actively work on it. Those who attract people intuitively understand these secrets, while those who repel do so because they consistently fail to grasp them.

1) Be cool.
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Be A Nerd Without Looking Like One

Posted in Step Up, tagged , on October 19, 2011| 4 Comments »

A Stereotypical Nerd with Glasses

I’m a nerd. I love nerds. But the last thing anyone wants is to actually look like a nerd. Your looks (your face and body type) is not so important as your look (your grooming and style). How you look has a direct impact on not only your own emotions, but also the emotional responses of others. How people respond to a disheveled guy in a wrinkled t-shirt, wearing big, round, grandpa spectacles is very different than to a well-groomed man in a sharp blazer, sporting sleek, modern-rimmed glasses. Trust me, you don’t lose nearly as much peripheral vision as you think you do.

Here are a few fashion faux pas you want to avoid if you want to go from invisible to notice-worthy:

1) Oversized clothes

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