Say No to “Almost”: Align Your Style and Leadership
Last week I booked a morning for myself. No calls, no content, no clients—just time. I went shopping as me, not as a stylist or brand coach. Within minutes, I was reminded of something I teach daily: if you don’t hold your clarity, others will fill the gap with their best guess.
A lovely retail assistant brought armfuls of “you’ll love this” pieces—beautiful, but not me. And that was on me: I hadn’t shared my criteria. It was the perfect mirror for what happens in business and leadership, too.
Why Clarity Outperforms Choice
More options rarely mean better outcomes. Without a clear filter, we burn energy comparing, second-guessing, and explaining. With clarity, you decide faster, communicate cleaner, and you’re experienced as credible—before you say a word.
The 3-Question Alignment Check
Use this in the fitting room, at your desk, or before you step onstage:
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Is this how I want to be experienced?
Calm authority? Creative confidence? Warm leadership? -
Does it reflect what I stand for—not just what I do?
Values > job title. Let your choices signal your standards. -
Will I back this—even if it’s unexpected?
Alignment often looks simple on the outside and certain on the inside.
If it’s not a clear yes to at least two (ideally three), it’s a no.
Shop Like a Strategist (Not a Scavenger)
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Pre-shop online: Check fabric, rise, inseam, and model height; predict how it will land on your frame.
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Name your non-negotiables: Color family, silhouette, neckline, function.
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Brief the assistant: “I’m after [fit/silhouette/color]; not looking for [X]. Here’s my budget.”
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Test for conviction: Stand, sit, walk, breathe. If you keep tugging, you’re negotiating with misalignment.
From Dressing Room to Boardroom
Clarity travels. When you walk into a meeting aligned, your presence leads and your words simply confirm it. You explain less, you decide faster, and you’re far harder to overlook.
Don’t Settle—Hold Out for Aligned
I bought the suit—and I love it—not because it was trendy, but because it passed the 3-question check. The win wasn’t the purchase; it was refusing to compromise when it mattered.
Ask yourself:
Where am I accepting “close enough”? What would change if I paused, clarified, and chose the option that truly fits?
LINKS & RESOURCES
➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.
➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist
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