The 'little black dress' of accessories is the broach or lapel pin. When placed on your lapel or just above your chest - they serve as a 'starting point' for the eye - especially for eyes that tend to wander. Men are more visually cued than women and tend to look at everything before they focus.
Wearing a pin provides a focal point that will move from your pin to your eye, once you speak.
If you want to be heard and taken seriously, a pin is a great way to establish eye contact - especially in one-on-one meetings. Whether it's from Tiffany's or Target - a pin is a definite MUST HAVE accessory for women who want to create Stellar Beginnings.
One woman who has made pins her trademark is Madeleine Albright. In 1997, she became the 64th Secretary of State, and the first woman to serve in the position. In that role, she traveled the world sitting eye-to-eye with the most powerful - and the most ominous - leaders of our time - armed with her intellect - and some of the most fantastic pins I have ever seen.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of sharing a stage with her, and working with a member of her White House staff. My observance of her is that this is a woman who uniquely understands the nuances of diplomacy and influence-wielding. She is also a woman who never goes anywhere without a pin.
Isn't it interesting that the Secretary's of State that followed her, Condolessa Rice and Hillary Clinton - are also pin-wearing women? As far as I'm concerned, pin-shopping is a career - and world changing experience!
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