This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to meet with a number of young fashion designers to discuss the launch of their brands.

One of the things we talked about is that you are presenting (or interviewing or dating) from three blocks away.

What does this mean?

It means that it’s hard to make a good “first” impression if the people you are meeting with have seen you berating the barista in the coffee place around the corner, changing from your flip flops to your heels in the elevator, or being rude to the receptionist.

And yes, all of these are examples came from my clients.

If you think this rule does not apply outside of NYC you are mistaken.

I once had a CEO tell me that she was looking out the window of her office when a candidate arrived for a sales position. It seems the candidate got out of her car and brushed her hair in the parking lot and this CEO thought,

“I can’t have someone work for me who brings their personal hygiene into a public space.”

This person lost the job before she entered the building.

On the upside, I have also been told that one of the people asked to weigh in on the potential candidates for CEO of a Fortune 500 company was the receptionist of that company. It seems the ‘powers-that-be’ wanted to know who had taken the time not only to learn her name but also to ask a few questions about her life.

The person that made that effort got the job.

So as you move through the world, please remember: your best self needs to be forward-facing, regardless of which way you’re facing.

For more on the importance of giving your best to every moment, take a look at “No Job is Too Small if You Want to Succeed”