Last week’s passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an incredible loss. Because of RBG’s legal work, women enjoy many freedoms we take for granted today, such as opening up a credit card or applying for a mortgage without a man’s help. 

I could seriously lose a day just thinking about what this means!
Like many, I found myself reading many articles and learning more about the woman I absolutely admire. There were many articles that talked about how she got the name the “Notorious R.B.G.”, how she became a pop icon, how she went from moderate to progressive throughout her career, or how she was the first woman to Lie in State. Yet the articles that most resonated with me were about her choice of jabots and how each of the collars had a different meaning and message.

According to the articles, RBG’s collection included: The Favorite, Majority Opinions, Dissenting Opinions, The Original, and Back in Business.

The collars sent a message and were a nonverbal signal of her stance on issues. As Ginsburg, herself told the Washington Post in 2009,

“You know, the standard robe is made for a man because it has a place for the shirt to show, and the tie, so Sandra Day O’Connor and I thought it would be appropriate if we included as part of our robe something typical of a woman. So I have many, many collars.”

And yes, she did have a lot of collars and yes, she made her opinion known.

The idea of wearing different collars really resonates with me.

As a woman who has struggled with feeling insecure and less than confident much of her life, studying body language became a way for me to tap into nonverbal ways to exude intended emotions. In brief, it became my own way of wearing a collar.
Examples:
  • When I first started having to teach and stand in front of groups, I chose to put on my confidence collar.
  • When in situations where I want to be taken seriously and as an equal, I put on my purposeful gazing and competent collar.
  • When as a manager and one of my colleagues was struggling with personal issues, I put on my listening and attentive collar.
  • When I’ve needed to build connection and engagement, I put on my warmth collar.
  • Or when I’ve been in scenarios that require presence and charisma, I put that collar on as well.

Studying body language has allowed me to “choose my collar” and display myself in an intentional way. It has given me the tools to feel comfortable in my own skin and to practice trying on new roles and emotions.

So I’m rethinking jewelry. I’ve never been drawn to wear it but after learning about Ruth’s brilliant nonverbal signals, I’m inspired.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s collar allowed her to speak powerfully and nonverbally during her 27 years on the Supreme Court. I will continue to put on my own nonverbal collars and share with anyone interested in how they can have more control over their personal brands and nonverbal communication. Because it’s all about showing up and sending the intended message.

Your co-pilot (who just learned what the word jabot means),

Kristin Bock

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