Workplace Challenges
Dress for success rather than sex-excessDress for success rather than sex-excess |
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Toronto Sun |
In a male-dominated industry, where it might seem like the ideal environment to want to turn on the feminine charm, Michelle sees it as being quite the opposite. "The business I am in is very serious -- it's dealing with people's money. And if I want to be taken seriously by my clients and colleagues, then I have to dress seriously."
"You are constantly creating the perceptions you want, so it's important to ask the question, 'how do I want others to see me?,' " says David McNally, international entrepreneur, producer of the award-winning film The Power of Purpose and author of the book Be Your Own Brand.
Next time you find yourself standing in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear to work, McNally suggests considering this: Will what you choose to wear make you distinctive in a way that reflects what you stand for and believe in?
"The advice I gave to my daughters is to dress in a way that addresses your unique style, while at the same time understand that people will make judgments about you by how you dress -- that's the reality, because that's the first image we project," comments McNally, father of five.
My advice is this: Dress for success rather than sex-excess -- you will be taken more seriously and be much more content with the results.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR
When dressing for work, avoid:
- Wearing spandex
- Showing your midriff
- Showing cleavage
- Wearing sheer blouses
- Sporting really micro minis
- Wearing spaghetti-strap tanks
- Wearing clothes that are too tight
According to Roz Usheroff, you know you're not being taken seriously when:
- Your ideas go unnoticed
- Your legs get more attention than your voice
- You're overlooked for a sure-win promotion
- An external image consultant is hired to fix you without your consent
- You're asked to serve the coffee and it's not your job
- You're frequently elected to pick up lunch
If you answer "no" to any of these questions you might need an image makeover.
- Do you command respect when you walk into a room?
- Do you grab the attention of the others in the room when you open your mouth to speak?
- Are your ideas/comments heard and acknowledged?
- Are you being taken seriously?
- When you speak with men, do they maintain eye contact or are their eyes wandering to other parts of your body?
Do you have you a bad boss?