Written By Ellen Lubin-ShermanAs an executive coach in self-marketing and the author of The Essentials of Fabulous, I write from the vantage point of personal style and packaging. While you may think everyone should be judged on the work they deliver, you’re only half right. You are absolutely judged on the quality of your work but you are also judged on the way you present yourself to the world. Samantha Cameron, wife of Prime Minister David Cameron is an excellent example of a CEO who presents an impeccable image. Prior to her husband becoming Prime Minister, Cameron was credited with repositioning the luxury leather good and stationery Smythson of Bond. Today, she serves as a consultant to the company while maintaining her fashionable and “camera ready” appearance. Polished and elegant, Cameron is a perfect example of accomplishment and style.So let’s consider the qualities that make someone stand out, be memorable, and leave no doubt that you are indeed fabulous – not only because you’re tops at what you do but because you’re also tops at the way you can persuade and mobilise people with your confidence.#1. Get enough sleep.Sleep is essential for looking and feeling your best. Unless you’re the type who can function on five hours of sleep, I strongly recommend a reasonable bedtime of 10pm during at least part of the week to keep your energy and spirits at its highest level.#2. Shop your wardrobe the night before work.I always have an idea in my head of what I’m planning to wear the night before so I’m not frazzled in the morning. While “shopping,” I’m also experimenting with my accessories since they can tweak an outfit in a rather inexpensive way. For example, Accessorize offers inexpensive strands of wood beads that would look sensational with a white shirt and a tailored trouser suit.#3. Clean out your handbag at least once a week.Remove the change from the bottom of the bag, the train tickets, the scribbled notes of things to do and then repack the bag with all the essentials including Listerine breath strips (aside: Listerine did not pay me to write that; I truly think those breath strips are indispensable); pen and small notebook for “eureka” moments that have to be written down; a fresh handkerchief or a small package of tissues; lip moisturiser (can be used on cuticles as well) and a small box of plastic toothpicks to be used in the ladies’ room before a meeting to insure there’s no lettuce or sesame seeds between your teeth.#4. Speaking of food…never eat pasta with tomato sauce or a salad with balsamic dressing when you’re dining with the boss. You will thank me for this advice. #5. Is multi-tasking making you hyper despite the fact you’re brilliant at it? The iPhone offers an app called Schedule Planner. It’s free and frees you from worrying that you’re double-booking a meeting or a conference call.#6. Keep a small travel bag in your office containing a folded and crisp white shirt, travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, deodorant, makeup and an extra pair of stockings. Should you unexpectedly be asked to hop onto the Chunnel for an early morning meeting in Paris, you will be ready and confident that you are at your best, last minute scheduling notwithstanding.#7. And since we’re talking about self-marketing…describe yourself in one adjective.Whether it’s tenacity, focus, indomitable, fearless, bold, charming and/or collegial, make sure you own the quality that makes you a standout.

For professional women, the stakes are high as we all want the opportunities and the challenges that we rightfully deserve. But let’s not kid ourselves: In addition to being a super-performer, we also have to create an aura or emit charisma to ensure we’re unstoppable.

Ellen Lubin-Sherman is the author of The Essentials of Fabulous: Because “Whatever” Doesn’t Work Here Anymore:http://essentialsoffabulous.com/

The women of the Young Entrepreneur Council weigh in on this question and offer advice to other founders of growing startups.

By the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC)

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE ROLE OF A CEO AS A STARTUP GROWS, AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER OTHER WOMEN IN THAT POSITION?

Dealing With Unexpected Challenges
In a dynamic growing business, the challenges you face as a CEO are constantly changing, and new surprises await at every turn. I’ve found it invaluable to build relationships with mentors — both women and men — with whom I can be completely honest about the most difficult hurdles I’m facing and trust them to offer insight and support.
- Martina Welke, @MartinaWelke (Co, founder, Zealyst)

 

Getting Systematic About Processes
As a startup transitions from the ideation and validation phase into its growth phase, one of the big challenges for founding CEOs might be the need to systematize all the processes. It can be tempting to get strict about your team’s to-do lists, but it’s important to find a balance between documenting each step and giving team members continued flexibility to be creative and innovative.
Doreen Bloch, @DoreenBloch, (CEO, Poshly)

 

Becoming a Public Figure
As a startup grows and gets more attention, the CEO is often given more attention, too. Just think of bigger companies and startups in the media; you probably know who the CEOs are. Hiring a speaking coach and doing media training can help you tremendously during your growth stage. It will prepare you for speaking engagements and answering questions you’ll be asked by the media.
Natalie MacNeil, @nataliemacneil, (Founder, She Takes on the World)

 

Balancing Your Personal Life
As women, we tend to want to do it all and juggle our personal and business lives with ease. As your business grows, those lines blur. I’ve always found it tough to juggle quality time in my personal relationships with all the time and energy required in my businesses. I continue to work on cutting myself slack and carving out time for myself and my personal life.
Darrah Brustein, @darrahb, (Founder, Finance Whiz Kids | Equitable Payments)

 

Becoming a Driver
In the early days of a company, each person — including the founders — are integral to taking action and doing. As a startup grows, it’s important to build a skilled and passionate team you trust. Then you become a conductor of the orchestra and inspire action and decision-making in others. The role evolves from focusing just on product and sales to personnel development and motivation.
Shradha Agarwal, @shr4dha, (Founder, ContextMedia)

 

Managing Expectations
As your business grows, you need to remember what you really want and what constitutes success for you. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should, and it’s important to stay true to yourself despite others’ expectations of you and your business.
Elizabeth Saunders, @RealLifeE, (Founder, Real Life E®)

 

Having a Hand in Everything
There aren’t many changes, but there’s absolutely more work. As CEOs, we have to be aware of the changes with digital media and social media and the effect those conversations have on the consumer experience. No matter the industry you work in, you have to be excited to wear all of the hats. From consumer to community manager, you have to be hands-on with your business development.
Rakia Reynolds (@rakiareynolds), (Owner, Skia Blue Media)

Read more at http://women2.com/whats-the-biggest-change-in-the-role-of-a-ceo-as-a-startup-grows/#pcO8oPOlRHyUAlx2.99