- Your book beautifully blends Psychology with Image Management. What inspired you to bring these two disciplines together in UNBROKEN?
Ans. Thank you. I brought the two disciplines together after I moved to India because I realised that a lot of my people were being dressed superficially and trained to communicate and behave for a specific situation. After the event or situation, they would not know how to present themselves. They were not confident from within.
I always felt, from the day I trained to become an International Image Consultant that, while Image or Impressions are about managing others view of you, the whole process can also impact your own sense of self and beliefs about who you are and who you would become after the changes you would go through in my sessions at TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai.
I have seen a cognitive dissonance like a negative impact on one’s well being if the presented Image is a significant mismatch with one’s true self. - You describe Image Management as “the ABC of Personality — Appearance, Behaviour, and Communication.” How did this framework evolve through your work with TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai?
Ans. Influencing perceptions through ABC to achieve personal, professional & social goals. Personalities have to evolve strategically to present themselves to align with specific situations & expectations.
At TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai, I make sure that it’s context, goal and situation dependent, creating deeper connections to self and then to others. We have fused Psychology with Image Management to get more authentic personalities to govern our Nation and its people! We are one of a kind to give this service across the Globe. - UNBROKEN opens with the idea that our primal brain still judges instantly — “Friend or Threat.” How can readers use this awareness to reshape their personal and professional presence?
Ans. I think that this kind of thinking allows more informed decision making! After all we come to this earth with limited time. By prioritizing significant concerns, people can allocate their resources – time, energy, attention efficiently.
I also learnt this very late in life and I have shared various topics about this in my book UNBROKEN The Role of Psychology in your Image Management. I wasted time on minor and imagined issues. I am a highly empathetic person which is vital for social cohesion. The ability to understand who is a friend or a threat, works very well in professional & social settings.
It also helps in identifying potential threat and helps you implement prevention and intervention to ensure that your personal presence is safe. - You’ve worked with International Airlines and trained clients globally. How do Cultural differences influence the Psychology of Image and First impressions?
Ans. Yes. I worked with Singapore Airlines, Gulf Air and Jet Airways. I have experienced and participated in various cultures through my workshops & trainings.
TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai, has a Signature program “Cultural Sensitization” which we customize to the needs of Organisations & Corporates.
The Cultural differences shape First Impressions through social etiquette, non-verbal body language and communication.
Take for example- Silence- it seems uncomfortable in our country, right? during conversations but in many countries where I have conducted workshops, it’s part of their Communication. I always promote Silence as part of “Conversation Skills” in India.
Another example is Personal Space in India- Proxemics – It’s TIA The Image Academy’s Signature program as well. Our culture is comfortable with very close proximity, but in many other countries they prefer a respectful distance. We must remember as Indians that our own cultural norms are not Universal
Even with cultural differences, I train universal principles like respectfulness, listening actively and being genuine. These build trust and helps in First Impressions and over a period of time your Image becomes credible. - In the chapter “There Are No Ugly People, Only Lazy,” you challenge common beauty perceptions. What psychological insight led you to this bold statement?
Ans. I read this quote somewhere. I have observed this as part of my People watching time. It’s true! People either procrastinate or are lazy when it comes to their own grooming!
So I have used this just as a motivational phrase for self-improvement, personal appearance and self- presentation.
It is entirely attributed to lack of effort than a factual statement. Your entire Personality can be significantly influenced by putting in efforts. Most of the time it’s laziness that sets us all back! - The book speaks deeply to Gen Z and young professionals. What are the most common image-related psychological struggles you see in this generation?
Ans. In TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai, we train Gen Z’s regularly. They are inducted for Internships through the year with us.
The main Personality struggles that they face and which have come in my observation is Digital Comparison and Loneliness. These two are the biggest challenges parents face for their children, hands down!
Social media is creating intense pressure to appear perfect. My book UNBROKEN The Role of Psychology in your Image Management, guides them to be genuine in their Image through psychological concepts.
While Gen Z are very open to discussing mental health, we do have a lot of them who carry self-stigma. The constant exposure to social media is also encouraging them to romanticize the mental illness! Struggles with Identity and Acceptance are also other concerns. - You also mention your brother, Martyr Major Vijit Singh, SC, as a quiet symbol of courage and compassion. How has his legacy shaped your mission with Unbroken?
Ans. Vijit was “Killed in Action” with the Indian Army at the age of 24. His sacrifice itself is a symbol of Courage & Compassion. A young lad with many dreams, he was a great source of motivation. Whenever I teased him that his uniform highlighted his Image, he said that his Indian Army uniform carries a much bigger responsibility!
His death, and as a Buddhist Scholar & Practitioner, which came into being after his death, made me confront my own mortality and the many sufferings that humans go through in the real world. This led me to live with more intentions and focus on what truly mattered. The renewed thoughts made me re-evaluate my Image Consulting profession and to discard many superficial concepts and team it with Psychology Facts.
UNBROKEN title was chosen because Vijit and I and as a family, we faced many setbacks without breaking our Image & Psyche. We had these, built within us, guided by our parents. I have personally utilised many of the concepts mentioned in my book!
I want everyone to read this book and channel their setbacks into positive actions and renew their sense of purpose internally.
With this strength, your Image, which is equally important in the external world, will embark on a new life journey that will be more aligned with your authentic self. It will help to develop an “UNBROKEN” spirit and create a deep appreciation for the fundamental realities of existence that requires meaningful Psychology concepts fused with your Image Management!
The Why (Psychology) will always lead you to the How ( Image Management) ! - Many readers equate “Image Management” with vanity, yet your tone is grounded in authenticity and purpose. How do you help people balance Appearance with Inner truth?
Ans. Thank you.
Image Management can be Vanity if it’s used without Authenticity of your Inner Truth. If there is excessive or shallow focus on outward appearance without regard to substance, authenticity or inner work, then it leans to Vanity.
Image Consulting/Image Management, these words are completely misconstrued, especially in India! It’s the new buzz profession that everyone wants to be tagged with. I have met Hair Stylists, Fashion Stylists, people working in Parlours or people just well dressed call themselves Image Consultants without any professional certificate or experience!
Image Management is a comprehensive process that integrates your internal qualities (values, skills, and personality) with your external presentation (appearance, behaviour, communication).
I will give you examples.
I have presided on the interview panels of many reputed organisations and companies both as an Image Consultant & a Counselling Psychologist. The CV of candidates didn’t matter as Academics is default. We selected, hired and promoted candidates that “looked and felt the part” which is a practical necessity in this competitive and make-believe world. When you feel you are presenting your best, most authentic self, appropriately, for a situation, you tend to be more confident which in turn enhances your performance and interactions!
This was said many years ago in our Bhagvad Gita “ Karm kar, phal ki chinta na kar” which is usually misconstrued as ‘not to expect results’, however, it means to do things authentically and passionately and positive results will follow you.
That is also Image Management fused in Psychology! It’s a very valuable life skill! It’s a strategic necessity for personal, professional and social success. - You introduce the concept of “Enclothed Cognition.” Could you share a moment from your life or coaching practice where clothing visibly changed someone’s mindset or confidence?
Ans. Enclothed Cognition is a psychological phenomenon. It is the effect of clothing on your mental & emotional processes as mentioned in my book UNBROKEN The Role of Psychology in your Image Management. It also affects how others perceive us and how we think about ourselves. These are very subtle workings and you may miss it but if you take a moment to think why you are comfortable or uncomfortable, you will know it’s your clothing!
Let me ask you – The glorious warriors, their make-up is war paint, their outfit is armour and the accessories their weapons! Why?
In my sessions at TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai, I guided a lady with well intentions. I told her that she “looked” beautiful with less make-up which as a Consultant, I have to, but as a Psychologist, I did understand that she needed it to “feel” boldly confident in herself as she moved through her World.
I had another case of a gentleman, who styled his outfits only in neutrals and “looked” very drained and “felt” demotivated. He was given colours as per the colour analysis done on him, to add to his wardrobe. We saw immense change in his everyday gait and attitude. Another person may do best with neutrals as the colours may be too jarring for his personality and mind.
This is identified with colour wheel, colour props & tools and colour psychology that we use in my Academy and various psychological tests & worksheets to get the look & feel right!
Enclothed Cognition sessions at my Academy have certainly demonstrated that the symbolic meaning and physical experience of clothes and other accessories with it can alter perception and behaviour!
Try wearing heavy boots, overall, gloves etc for a trek and the distance will look shorter and inclines will be easier to scale! Why? Because you are prepared with ‘ Enclothed Cognition” for effort & labour than those in light clothes! - Finally, the word Unbroken carries emotional weight. What does being “Unbroken” mean to you today — as a woman, psychologist, and educator?
Ans. I have faced significant adversity as a Woman, especially because I am academically and socially gifted and blessed. I believe I am different and that has been my strength. I refuse to become the person the system wants me to. I have emerged resilient, whole and UNBROKEN!
As an Educator & Psychologist I have used my seventeen years of UNBROKEN experiences to educate and inspire others globally, through Image Management & Psychology.
I have shared it through my book UNBROKEN The Role of Psychology in your Image Management. It’s a book of survival & empowerment, not only for women but men too. Raw & honest with many nuances of our Indian culture, this book will help you leverage your inner strength as much as your outer presence.
Become the Hero of your own life.
My book, UNBROKEN The Role of Psychology in your Image Management and my very own TIA The Image Academy, Mumbai, are on a mission to create change in Image Consulting & the world around us. We are responsible for our Image & our Psyche.
You don’t have to do it alone!
Read this book with compassion for the experiences you have had and make your life “High Wired”!
Pay it forward to those who you think may need it
Stay blessed & kind.
