The Power of Appearance: Lessons from Kennedy, Reagan, and Kristian

This past week I had a chance to visit in person with some of our Opal Capital advisor clients in Los Angeles for the 1st time.

Walking into the building I met Kristian, one of our clients.

Kristian was dressed in an incredibly sharp suit and looked very professional.

Today I find that a lot of professionals take a more relaxed approach to their appearance. I have taken the approach myself, wearing jeans most days.

Kristian's approach to his appearance made him stand out. 

After my partners and I presented to the audience of advisors that included Krisitian, we opened it up to questions.

Who do you think had a strong list of questions ready for us? 

Was I surprised? 

Absolutely not. 

In the autumn of 1960, America witnessed a pivotal moment in political history: the first-ever televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. 

This debate didn't just revolutionize the political landscape; it underscored the growing importance of appearance in politics. John F. Kennedy, the young and charismatic senator from Massachusetts, entered the debate looking composed and confident. 

He wore a dark suit, which contrasted sharply against the studio backdrop, enhancing his youthful and vigorous image. 

His healthy tan and relaxed demeanor made him appear energetic and ready to lead the nation. In contrast, Vice President Richard Nixon, a seasoned politician, arrived at the debate following a grueling campaign schedule and a recent hospitalization. 

He wore a light gray suit that blended into the background, making him appear washed out and less vibrant. 

Nixon's pale complexion and visible five o'clock shadow further added to his weary and haggard look. As the debate unfolded, viewers who tuned in on television were struck by the stark differences in the candidates' appearances. 

Polls taken after the debate revealed a fascinating dichotomy: 

Radio listeners tended to think Nixon had won, while television viewers overwhelmingly favored Kennedy. 

This split highlighted how visual impressions had become crucial in shaping public perception. 

Kennedy's strong television presence played a significant role in swaying undecided voters and ultimately contributed to his narrow victory in the election.

In 1984, before the 2nd Regan - Mondale Presidential debate, the Regan camp was concerned.

At 73 years old, Reagan faced questions about his age and vitality. 

During the 1st debate, he appeared tired and stumbled over some of his answers, raising concerns about his ability to serve a second term.

A media consultant who later became a key advisor to Ronald Reagan during his presidential campaign famously framed his model of the power of image in politics: 

"It’s 80% how you look, 15% how you sound, and 5% what you say."

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Takeaways:

• Unfortunately, appearance matters.

• Unfortunately, image is important in business just like in politics.

• Luckily if it is important to you, changes can be made.

• I am going to be more like Kristian going forward.

-> New Advisor Speed Demo: BizEquity with Diana Cabrices & Brent Heflin: Link

-> New RIA Stories from Savvy Wealth with Ritik Malhotra: Link