SUIT, ANSWERS, AND ABOVE ALL… MINDSET

Preparation begins long before the handshake. It starts in the mirror. Do you feel that what you ’ re wearing reflects your identity? I’m not talking about brands or trends—I’m talking about coherence. Your presence should say, “I’m here, I’m valuable, and I have something to contribute.”

Many professionals, especially over 50, feel pressured to look "modern," as if they must hide their age or experience. I say the opposite: use your history as your strength. Experience doesn’t make you less competitive—it makes you more strategic. You’ve led, failed, adapted, and grown. That’s worth more than any technical skill alone.

Next comes what you’ll say. And this is not about memorizing scripts. It’s about knowing your professional story and communicating it clearly—without justifying yourself or downplaying your worth. Knowing who you are, what you do, how you solve problems, and what makes you different is far more valuable than giving perfect answers.

One of the most common things I help clients with is how to speak from their achievements without arrogance, and from humility without insecurity. When you strike that balance, the impact is immediate.

Speak with concrete examples, data, and measurable results. But also, talk about what you ’ ve learned, how you ’ ve managed failure, how you ’ ve adapted strategies, or supported your team in tough times.

And let’s not forget what’s often underestimated: your energy. You might have the perfect outfit and the perfect answers, but if your body is tense or your mindset is filled with fear, it shows. Your tone of voice, your posture, and your facial expressions are all part of the message. That’s why mindset work is essential.

I don’t mean forced positivity—I mean cultivating internal calm and self-belief. Remind yourself who you are, what you ’ ve overcome, and why you ’ re here.

Visualize the meeting, not as a threat, but as a dialogue between two parties evaluating if they can build something together.