WORK IN PROGRESS
(Life, Me, You, This Newsletter)
Vol. V, Issue15, August 1, 2001 ><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>
JUST IMAGINE AN IMAGE - IT'S YOU!
"Just be comfortable."
"Clothes make the man."
"Come as you are."
"Image is everything."
We are subjected to many conflicting aphorisms about
the effects of how we look and how we dress. In the last
few years "business casual" has become an interesting
spiral, with some employees apparently vying with each
other to see how casually they can dress in the work
environment. While the "dotcom" culture was flying high,
the determination to demonstrate separation from the
formal, business suit culture of the bricks-and-mortar
business fueled the casual trend. However, "casual" and
"scruffy" are not the same thing, and they do not convey
the same message.
For folks who are trying to move upwards in a corporate
hierarchy, or who are seeking a job, this trend can be
counter-productive. Not only does our appearance
convey a message to others, including prospective
employers and prospective clients, but it also conveys a
message to us about ourselves.
Remember that, until they receive evidence otherwise,
most people will perceive us as being what we appear to
be. If we dress casually, we run the risk of being
perceived as being casual in our attitude - fine at a
picnic, but not necessarily so at a department meeting.
Certainly, if the CEO comes to work in shorts and
sandals there is a message that casual is okay... but be
careful not to take that message and run too far with it.
Again, notice the difference between casual and scruffy.
Notice the different messages that they convey.
Most important, though, is to remember what your
planned next career step is. Do you aspire to a step
upwards in the corporate hierarchy? Then you want
people to perceive you as an appropriate person to fit in
at that level. Therefore, it is wise to dress to that level.
This may not mean shopping for a power suit and the
obligatory red tie or other accessories. However, it may
mean taking a look at the imagine you currently project.
An example... in some corporate cultures, the job of
receptionist is perceived as requiring a certain level of
glamour. Elegance, and a discreet (or otherwise)
emphasis on physical appeal is approved of in some
corporate cultures. However, the person who falls into
the trap of presenting her/himself that way needs to be
aware that such appearance, if carried too far, is not
likely to persuade management that the individual is
ready for the next step up. Moving up is usually hard
work. If one is also trying to overcome an unprofessional
image one has to work even harder. Why handicap
yourself?
Another trap can be the desire to fit in, to be "just folks"
and so to wear what your peers, or even your
direct-reports, are wearing. Remember, the image that
you need is that of a professional who is ready to step
smoothly into the slot ABOVE the one you presently
occupy, not of someone who fits all too comfortably into
the one you presently occupy, or the one below that.
It is not useful to tell ourselves that we will change our
behavior, or our appearance after we get the promotion,
or the new job. There is a high likelihood that we will
never get there until after the outward change takes
place, for we have to be perceived as already
appropriate in order to get the desired position.
Nor does it do much for your own state of mind to be
dressed at or below the level you presently occupy. If
we are to act in a way warranting the increased
responsibility that comes with a promotion, then we need
to be THINKING that way, and one way to help us to
achieve that shift in thinking is to know that we LOOK
that way, that we talk that way, that we behave that way.
If you know that you are "dressed down" to a position
that you no longer want, what is that doing to your
self-esteem, your self-confidence?
Do you have an image of how you will be when you
achieve that step, or the step beyond it? If not, consider
who can be a role model for you. Is there someone at
that level now who you admire? Can you model yourself
on that person? I am not suggesting that you slavishly
copy the individual's style of dress and of speech, for
personal authenticity is crucial to long-term success. I
am suggesting that you consider how you would dress
and behave, given the fact that you are YOU, if you
thought like that person.
What can you learn from that person? Can you practice
asking yourself what that person would do when you
have to make tricky decisions at work? In fact, would
that person be willing to mentor you for a while?
Couldn't hurt to ask, could it? S/he'd probably be
immensely flattered.
When you are ready to take the next step in your
career... just imagine that you have already made it.
How will you look? Think? Act?
Start now!
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BOOKS ON TOPIC and recommended...
The New Professional Image : From Business Casual to
the Ultimate Power Look by Susan Bixler, Nancy
Nix-Rice For more information click on:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D1558507299/personalandcareeA/002-8534146-3804809
Casual Power: How to Power Up Your Nonverbal
Communication & Dress Down for Success by Sherry
Maysonave.
For more information click on:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D1880092484/personalandcareeA/002-8534146-3804809
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And a possibly relevant web site:
http://www.casualpower.com/
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Coaching from the ordinary experience to an
extraordinary life!
Work in Progress covers general issues that can be
addressed far more specifically and personally in
personal coaching. If you would like to receive the gift of
a free half-hour of coaching by phone, with no strings
and no pressures, e-mail me or visit my Guestbook at
www.ChoiceCoach.com to request such a call, and I will
respond promptly to schedule one. Just one free call
might help you to get over that annoying little glitch that
has been holding you back!
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Copyright 2001 Diana Robinson, Ph.D. Work in
Progress may be reproduced in its entirety only,
including this copyright line. Disclaimer -The contents
herein are solely the opinions of Work in Progress
owner, and should not be considered as a form of
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