Last Thursday, I had the wonderful privilege of speaking at an event with 150 guests/ministers in San Clemente, CA. I had two back-to-back speaking engagements titled “Dress your Ministry.”

Sometimes organizations and corporations can be apprehensive on how to discuss or bring up the subject of “how to dress” to their fellow employees. Some employees can take offense to it or be very sensitive to their wardrobe attire. Possibly because they don’t have the time, the money, or the energy to get ready for work. However, the employer’s intention is never to offend anyone, but rather to help the employee become successful in their profession.

I always say it’s a “win, win” for everyone. Think about it. When you wake up in the morning feeling motivated and encouraged and you say, “Today is the day that I’m going to get dressed up, find my best outfit and shoes, do my hair, have a great breakfast, make somebody’s day, generate those sales and finish those projects!”….how awesome do you feel at the end of the day? How accomplished do you feel? How many compliments do you receive from your boss and your fellow co-workers because you had such a productive day? All these wonderful compliments and a sense of accomplishment are all because you decided that morning to make a choice, a “positive” choice and have a positive “attitude” to lead by example and make it a great day.

Do you think looking at yourself in the mirror that morning before leaving the house and feeling and looking sharp in your outfit had any impact on your mood and behavior for that day? Absolutely! Your attitude and the way you feel and look makes a tremendous impact on how your day will go. And it has nothing to do with narcissism or ego, but everything to do with leading by example.

I always say, “You’re a walking billboard! You are you’re own brand.” How do you want to be perceived by others? Do you want to influence those around you? Do you want to make a difference in somebody’s life? Lead by example.

Towards the end of my second presentation, I had a woman, possibly 70 years of age, dressed so elegantly with her statement jewelry raise her hand and share something she had not forgotten in 30 years. She said, “I will never forget when I first went into ministry, a man shared with us on stage that we cannot be ministers and try to help others when we can’t lead by example in our own lives. If your car is dirty inside and outside, if your shoes are not polished, and if you look like you just got out of bed, how can you minister and help somebody else, if you can’t apply those same principles in your own life?”

Yes. Precisely. Always dress for success. Your boss, and those you lead and follow you, will forever be thankful just like this woman was 30 years later.