The Image Professor

Where the Visual, Verbal, & Behavioral Get Graded
by LisaMarie Luccioni, MA, AICI, CIP

How to Receive a Compliment

"I can live for two months on a good compliment." ~Mark Twain Read More

How Dumb Thinking Leads to "Uh Oh" Moments

Ever been wrong? Forced into damage control? Feel stupid after-the-fact? Here's quite possibly why. Error One: Treating Inferences as Facts Read More

Lady, Gentleman, or Hellion? 5 Simple Steps to (Better) Behaved Children

Earlier this week, I posted a question to my Facebook account: Are children's manners on the decline? Answers arrived like tax returns on April 15; apparently the issue resonates because in two years of Facebook operation, I've never witnessed a more rapid and passionate response.    Read More

Style Profile: Success Dynamo Jane Schulte

Admired by the most visible and accomplished women in her community, this working dynamo takes you through her image journey. If you seek a combination of determination and grace, here's your woman. Learn from her. I have. Read More

Curb the Cursing, Kardashians; There's a Baby on Board

Are you okay with the F-this, F-that, and F-you American culture? Reality television seems to be. I'm not. You shouldn't be either. Read More

Style Profile of Professional Football Coach Jeff Quinn

The Image Professor Blog publicly showcases the style evolution of a professional "mover & shaker" excelling in their specific industry. We'll discover how powerful and stylish leaders have used (1) clothing, (2) grooming, and (3) behavior to achieve visual and verbal success.  Can image be used as a secret to success on and off the gridiron?  This award-winning coach says yes.  Read More

15 Steps to Wallop Your Competition

Make Way.  The Best Has Arrived.  Read More

Do College Students Court Their Professors?

This past spring quarter, an attractive male brunette majoring in design cast his alluring spell. I was pursued with charm, insistence, creativity and ultimately, I succumbed. Read More

5 Reasons Why People May Not Like You

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin spelled the letters R-E-S-P-E-C-T and set them to music. I'll write D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T and place into words. Here follow 5 reasons why people may not respect who you are, what you do, and how you behave. Add your own gripe to the list. We could probably write a book. Read More

Manner Mistakes When People Are Sick: (Part II)

You probably know people who've battled serious medical trauma.  I'm in that select group of pain warriors.  My war wound's found on my belly, a straight scalpel scar sliced neatly across my stomach.  Abdominal fat was subsequently used to fill the empty space where a massive brain tumor once resided.   Read More

Manner Mistakes When People are Sick: (Part I)

You see my smiling Psychology Today face shot. The healthy grin, the makeup, the styled hair in no way captures the physical pain I once suffered for eight years. Indeed, prolonged and undiagnosed physical suffering quickly morphed to mental depression and considerations of suicide. How often did "Miss Manners" consider overdosing on pills to relieve the pain? Read More

Dine With Confidence: Decoding the Plate Setting

A reporter asked me recently what triggered my interest in dining manners. My answer? A political internship in Washington, D.C. Read More

Forgot My Name? Your Competition Didn't

In today's world, introductions occur in both our personal and professional lives. And yet many of us fumble through the experience, feeling disheartened as we stumble over wording, wishing someone else would assume this responsibility. Read More

Style Profile: A Visual, Verbal, & Behavioral Evolution to Success

Each month The Image Professor Blog will publicly showcase the style evolution of a professional "mover & shaker" excelling in their specific industry. We'll discover how they've used (1) clothing, (2) grooming, and (3) behavior to achieve visual and verbal success. Read how powerful and stylish leaders are making their contribution to our communities and world. Alert: Successful people reveal their secrets; this is a worthwhile read. Read More

The Classy Break-Up: Conversational Templates for Saying Good-Bye

Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn did it in a movie. Jen and Brad Pitt did it in real life. I may not be Jen and you may not be Brad, but "breaking up" with people is a normal life event.

Here follow suggestions for disconnecting from categories of select people when you've determined it's the appropriate time to do so. All cost-reward ratios have been thoroughly determined, and it's simply time to take action.  Read More

2010 Resolution: Dress Like a Power-Player (Part III)

2010 Resolution: Dressing for Power (Part III) Read More

2010 Resolution: Dress Like a Power-Player (Part II)

2010 Resolution: Dress Like a Power-Player (Part II) Read More

2010 Resolution: Dress Like a Power-Player (Part I)

You enter a situation wanting people to know you mean business. You speak like a leader. Do you look like one? Everyone has a personal and professional wardrobe. But certain pieces inherently contain more authority and you probably don't even know it. Enter 2010 as the communal power-player. Capture attention, command respect, and nonverbally indicate you take care of business. Read More

Got Handshake? The Silent Communicator

It's stealth. It's power. And it's at your own fingertips. Forward to the office staff and print for the kids at home, for we have ten suggestions for handshakes done right. Pictures included! Read More

An Image Consultant's Girl-Crush on Michelle Obama

To be clear, I voted for the other guy, the one who didn't win the presidency. I'm an occupational paradox: a college professor who usually leans politically right. That said, I publicly declare an enthusiastic girl-crush on our nation's first lady, Michelle Obama. Read More

Speech Worrier to Speech Warrior

I'm sure you've read advice on how to become a better public speaker. Classic counsel is to know your subject and practice your speech. While this instruction is considered timeless for a reason, I add this thought: Whatever. I'm taking these two as an automatic given. Here's what you really need to appreciate, those subtle nuances most speakers never think to contemplate and use. Here we go. Read More

Halloween Manners: Dress Like a Witch, but Behave Like a Lady

As you work this week, take heart: Halloween is this Saturday. Whether you're staying at home handing lollipops to goblins or dressing in the costume of your dreams for the holiday party, manners should be part of the evening. Dress like a witch and "arrr!" like a pirate, but behave like ladies and gentlemen.

HALLOWEEN ETIQUETTE Q&A: Read More

Pantyhose at Work: A Woman's Bondage or her Best Behavior?

Pantyhose at Work: To Wear or Not to Wear? Shakespeare may not have tackled this popular dress code inquiry, but this image consultant bravely offers her take. One size does not fit all; pantyhose are a contextual issue. That said, here are three factors that may help guide your decision to don the nylon.   Read More

Teen Texting Gone Amuck: Put the Phone Away or I’ll Throw it in the Potomac!

Statistic One: Four out of five teens now carry a wireless device.

Statistic Two: 42% of teens can text blindfolded.

(Survey Source: CTIA and Harris Interactive) Read More

Top Ten Ways to Impress Your College Professor

David Letterman has his nightly "Top Ten" list. This college professor decided to create her own. You want an A in my class? Earn it. You want my approval, respect, and a striking letter of recommendation as you pursue personal and professional goals? Take note of the Top Ten.

TOP TEN WAYS TO IMPRESS YOUR COLLEGE PROFESSOR Read More

LisaMarie Luccioni, MA, AICI, CIP

LisaMarie Luccioni is an adjunct professor of Communication at the University of Cincinnati, a business etiquette expert, and one of 100 Certified Image Professionals in the United States.

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