Being you

Now, in the real world, this scenario plays out quite differently. I am certain many can recite a number of experiences where the lines of what is acceptable in terms of the ‘Corporate Look’ are very blurred, with the military being the only organisation with grooming demands that are not negotiable. In fact, just recently in Trinidad and Tobago, a young man was removed from his job for not conforming to the required look – as a result of his hairstyle. This debate can and most definitely will rage on, with many sharing modernist views, and others sticking to the conventional views on what is acceptable for the corporate look.

Personal grooming for the corporate world goes hand in hand with many pre-conceived notions, including how you are perceived, if you will be taken seriously, if you will be afforded respect, if you will receive referrals, and in some instances, if you get the job. Always remember, first impressions are lasting, and many times, people’s minds are already made up about you, your organisation and your brand, within the first ten seconds of meeting you. Hence, ensuring you look and feel your best is crucial to your output. It is important to underscore here, that looking and feeling your best does not equate to donning a supremely expensive business suit, in fact, what should matter most is the man in the suit.This simply means that some effort must be made in your attire, grooming and outlook, and the results will follow.

The following question must be answered when attempting to identify the appropriate look:

1. What type of organisation am I entering? What is the policy of the organisation?

If the organisation has a clear policy on such matters in terms of acceptable dress codes, and grooming, it will help to acquaint yourself with these policies. If you may be unclear as to the definitions put forward, then the next step is to discuss with your Human Resource representative for clarification. Now, if you are already employed with the organisation, and decidedly made a change to your look, that may be outside of the organisation’s remit, then it would also help to understand the boundaries that will be accepted.

If your organisation is more focussed on results and delivery, then perhaps this may not be much of an issue, further, many IT based organisations are more focussed on ensuring the employee’s comfort to encourage creativity, and actually encourages employees to dress comfortably, whilst creating the workspace into more lounge and play-based ‘creativity centres’ – they encourage you to be whomsoever you are.

I recall a few years ago, I invited a supremely talented IT specialist to meet with a high level corporate executive at the executive’s office. The executive was finally convinced to open his doors to meet with IT minds outside of his corporate network, which would perhaps bring him unique and visionary ideas. On the morning of the meeting, my assistant advised that the young man had arrived.

When my assistant ushered him into my office, I almost fell off my chair, he obviously forgot to comb his hair, he wore a crumpled, washed out T-Shirt, a pair of dishevelled looking jeans without a belt, a pair of dirty sneakers, and a satchel slung over his shoulder. The corporate executive is still waiting that meeting. The moral being, being you is your prerogative, just as it is my prerogative to be me.