Can I Live Up to My Headshot?
image generated by Google Gemini in style of Andy Warhol
By Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC
Recently I’ve received some lovely compliments about my professional activities. I participated in a virtual roundtable where I was described as a “person of stature” and about a week later I led a webinar where I was introduced as a “powerhouse in the industry.” It felt great to hear such nice comments because I am with me 24 hours per day. I don’t always see myself in a positive light so hearing from others provides not only validation but some balance in my view of myself.
It was great to hear because I work hard and do my best to give back to my community but I’m in the middle of it all the time so I don’t see it the way others do.
Thinking about these assessments by others reminded me of a conversation I had earlier this year. On one of my podcast episodes, I was joking around with my guest about our headshots. We talked about when we got them done and if they really look like us. During the conversation I quipped, “I don’t know if I can live up to my headshot!” He thought that was funny and we had a good laugh.
But I do wonder if I can live up to my headshot as it is supposed to be a representation of me. It’s not old as I got it done professionally in December 2024, but I just look so damn good in it that it’s daunting on a daily basis. That moment in time where I was standing a certain way with my head at a certain angle is not what I look like every day. Don’t get me wrong: I love my headshot but I know I probably disappoint people when they see me because I don’t look the way my social media images say I look.
The headshot is not all about looks because it projects an image of a confident, intelligent, professional person. As I was thinking about this article, I decided to ask Google Gemini about “this person in the image.” The headshot file had my name on it so in a few minutes it came back with a short essay about me. Some of what it found is:
She is a recognized authority and consultant in nonprofit and association management.
She is a strong advocate for the nonprofit management profession and provides education and training, particularly centered around earning the CAE credential. She also shares her expertise as a consultant, writer, speaker, and podcast host.
Of course, what Google Gemini found is easily accessible on my LinkedIn profile and website, but that means that is what others will find if they go looking for information about me – whether or not they are driven by my headshot. This available information shapes opinions.
Thinking about my headshot, it leads me to the topic of public perception. When others see us from a distance, they make assumptions based on the small piece of information they have. I get it – we can only use the information we have in any situation. But I also know that the public only sees a small piece of who we are and that informs who they think we are. These perceptions are not always accurate and can be surprising when you meet people in person.
Sometimes I talk to my colleagues who are active in promoting their activities on social media and online communities about having some “celebrity status” among our professional community. It’s interesting, we say, that people think they “know” us because they follow our work. We all put something personal into what we do but it’s not necessarily a window into our soul -- so it takes us by surprise that we are treated as if we have an elevated “celebrity” status.
To us, we are just that: us. People with all their flaws and worries and strengths. Some of the experiences I have had over the last few years make me wonder what people think I am like. For example, at a conference in 2022, I was in the restroom washing my hands and a woman yelled my name – LOUDLY. I turned around and I looked at her name badge and she said, “Oh, you don’t know me. I follow you online.” Then she walked away.
No, I don’t know her but I wonder sometimes if she knows she doesn’t know me either. My work does speak for itself but it is only one piece of the mosaic that is me.
