Everybody talks about style! So, what is style? Is it swag? Is it charisma? Is it how we carry ourselves? Maybe it is a perception, or a combination, thereof?
I believe style is an individual definition that is a complex concept, encompassing a myriad of aspects. Below I share my psychological interpretation of style, presenting a comprehensive framework for understanding and developing personal style, going beyond mere appearances to encompass self-concept, confidence, and empowerment.
S – SELF-CONCEPT & SELF-ESTEEM
T – TAKE CHARGE
Y – YES, YOU CAN DO IT
L – LEVERAGE YOURSELF AND POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
E – EMPOWERMENT
S - Self-Concept is the perception that we have of ourselves; while self-esteem is the feeling, tone, or how we feel about ourselves (Super, et al, 1963). Style can reflect how we view ourselves and how confident we are in our own skin.
T - Take Charge. Style is related to self-management skills, taking charge, and being in control, accountable, and responsible for our thinking, decision making, and behavior.
Y - Yes, You Can Do It. Style is a mindset that facilitates a belief in ourselves and our abilities to identify and achieve our goals, resulting in total health and wellness.
L - Leverage Yourself and Potential Opportunities: Style can involve using our unique abilities, strengths, skills, and talents to be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.
E - Empowerment: Ultimately, style can be a tool for empowerment, allowing us to fully express ourselves, and exhibiting appropriate behavior. With respect to empowerment, review my paradigm related to empowerment, The Coleman Empowerment Matrix (CEM, 2024), listed below.
Coleman Empowerment Matrix (CEM)
E – ENERGY
Energy is physiological, psychological, emotional, mental, and spiritual, among others. And I believe that energy is a fundamental premise of our existence, as the universe continues to align and re-align itself.
M – MOVING FORWARD
What are your plans as you move forward in life? What are your issues, concerns, problems, and challenges that must be addressed to be successful?
P – PURPOSE, VALUES, CORE BELIEFS
What is your purpose in life? Define values, or what are those things that are most important to you. What are the core beliefs that make up who you are? What is your world view, including the implications and repercussions for the global economy?
O – OPPORTUNITY
What opportunities are you considering in the following areas: personal, physical, family, social/community, academic/work/professional/financial, and moral/ethical/spiritual? (Fitts, 1964; Fitts & Warren, 1996).
W – WORK & LIFE BALANCE
As work consumes more of our lives, and with the challenges of delineating between the two, what are your plans to achieve a balance to seek total health and wellness?
E – EFFORT
What effort(s) are you willing to commit and sacrifice while developing an empowerment system, seeking total health and wellness?
R – RE-EVALUATE
Adhering to the Coleman Empowerment Matrix (CEM) requires a periodic reevaluation and reassessment of each of the elements. In the ever-changing times, and with recent technologies, including AI, consider the emerging themes, trends, and patterns that are developing in the 21st century global economy.
M – MANAGING SELF
Managing the self requires a critical examination, analysis, evaluation, and understanding of self-concept, self-esteem, and the acquisition of self-management skills. Consider the Coleman Model of Self-Concept and Self-Esteem (2008; 1992), based on the six areas of self-concept and self-esteem, modified by Coleman, listed below, for a more comprehensive examination of these two constructs (Fitts, 1964; Fitts & Warren, 1996).
E – EXPECTATIONS AND GOALS
Identify realistic expectations and goals related to a lifestyle of total health and wellness.
N – NEGOTIATE
In life, there will always be conflict! And what is significant is the ability to identify and understand conflict, including the ability to negotiate and navigate conflict resolution and negotiation skills, culminating in appropriate behavior and defense/coping mechanisms.
T – TIME FRAME
Everything that we do involves time, with the same amount for all of us. What is your conceptualization of time; and how does time relate to establishing realistic goals for self and others?
References
Super, D.E., Starishevsky, R., Matlin, N., & Jordaan, J.P. (1963). Career development: Self-Concept theory. Essays in vocational development. New York, New York: College Entrance Examination Board.
Ventura-Rozen, G. & Giles, A. (2024). Coleman Empowerment Matrix (CEM) . In the Iconic Woman’s Guide to Empowerment. 21 Women Share Inspirational Stories. Las Vegas, NV: Everyday Woman Publishing.
Dr. Vicki D. Coleman, a.k.a. The Anger Doctor, is president/CEO of The Coleman Group & The Anger Doctor - comprehensive management consulting firms specializing in anger management, mediation, human capital, psychotherapy, training, and research. She is also an online professor of psychology, counseling, human services, and U.S. history. A former tenured professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, Dr. Coleman earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in U.S. & Latin American history from The University of Iowa, a master's in counselor education from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate in counseling psychology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Style is a mindset that facilitates a belief in ourselves and our abilities to identify and achieve our goals… style can involve using our unique abilities, strengths, skills, and talents…style can be a tool for empowerment.