Crumpled or Competent - The Choice is Yours.

Over the weekend, I had a simple but eye-opening conversation with our 12-year old daughter.  

She has a habit of crumpling her clothes into a ball, shoving them into the closet, and pulling them out later, creased and messy. I gently asked, “What story do you think your look might be telling others?”

Her answer surprised me:
👉 “That I don’t look after my things… that I’m not organised?”

💡 And isn’t that the truth for all of us?

How we show up shapes the narrative people create about us, whether we like it or not. From our clothing and posture to our emails, opinions, and timeliness… from the way we contribute in meetings to how we handle setbacks… every moment contributes to our brand.

👀 Did you strengthen or dilute your brand today by how you showed up?

We are meaning-making machines. We label to make sense of the world:
✨ Innovative visionary
✨ Empathic servant leader
✨ Fun and outgoing
✨ Serious number-cruncher

Yes, we are so much more than these labels. We’re complex, multifaceted humans. But people only see what’s visible to them.

So, what are you making visible to shape perception and reputation?

→ Want to be seen as strategic? What solutions are you proposing? What data are you reviewing? What networks are you building?
→ Want to be seen as credible? What wins or learnings are you sharing? What initiatives are you driving?

The small things matter. Before people see your depth and capability, their perception can be hijacked by a misspelt email, crumpled outfit, chewed nails, or a soft voice.

For my daughter, she’s now choosing competent over crumpled. Just three extra seconds to hang her pants, and that small shift shapes the story she’s telling the world.

✨ Every interaction is a chance to reinforce your brand. What story are you telling today?

That's all for this week's edition. We hope you found it inspiring and informative. As always, we're eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Until next time, keep shaping opportunities and making a difference!

In your corner, 
Janine

janinemanning.com