June 2021 Newsletter Look and Attitude

Look and Attitude

When you were growing up, your parents probably offered this time-honored piece of advice: “Never judge a book by its cover.” Even so, we all form opinions about people based on their appearance and attitudes.

“A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you.” – Joyce Meyer

I recently gave a speech to a group of high school seniors. In it, I predicted that they would continue to be judged throughout their lives. Just as they have constantly been evaluated in school, they will also be judged in the business world. The good news is that each day they will have a new opportunity to put their best self forward. I believe that if we look the part, show that we enjoy what we do, and have a positive attitude, people will want to do business with us.

A new attitude about dressing for success was highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article that said a businessperson’s clothes should reflect their identity and personality as well as the image of their employer. What you wear is your business card, and your appearance will speak volumes about your company and what it will be like to do business with you.

“Dress how you want to be addressed”

Throughout my career in residential real estate, I have always believed that it is important to dress for success. I am mindful that often I will be helping people make the biggest investment they are likely to make in their lives. I believe that dressing like a professional demonstrates that I value and respect my clients. I also believe that my attitude should be extremely positive and that I need to show passion for my career. The more excited I am about helping my clients, the more receptive they will be towards me and the more likely they will be to trust my advice.

The concept of dressing as a reflection of your company is also embraced by the investors on ABC’s Shark Tank (one of my favorite shows). Recently they shared viewpoints on how to dress for success.

According to Daymond John, “Your look really needs to be true to your profession, head to toe… Always dress to what is accurate to who and what you are.”

Echoing that sentiment, Kevin O’Leary says, “You have to dress as your clients expect to see you, to their expectations.”

In these days of personal branding, we have come to expect CEOs to dress in a way that personifies their business.

According to Jennifer Peaslee, “One thing that has not changed is that people will still judge you based on how you look. Today it’s no longer just a dichotomy of professional versus unprofessional. This has opened up the ways in which you can dress for success in a professional manner while also giving off important clues about the personality of your business.”

“They say dress for the job you want…so I walked in dressed better than the boss”

Each of us will face plenty of unforeseen challenges at work. Why create additional challenges for yourself before you even leave your house?

Can you be successful if you dress inappropriately and have a bad attitude? Yes, of course you can. However, if you do this I doubt that you will be seeing many referrals. When was the last time you referred someone and said, “Give John a call if you want to sell your house—he dresses poorly and has a bad attitude”?

I believe that if I look the part I am going to feel more professional, which means I am likely to be more productive. Isn’t that what going to work is all about—being the best we can be? The bottom line is that if you look the part that your career dictates and if you have a positive, upbeat attitude, you will have two fewer challenges to deal with. Nobody has ever had to apologize to a client for looking too good or having an overly positive attitude.

Another benefit of looking your best and acting the part is that you will encourage and inspire all the people in your daily life to do the same. You are going to be judged by your attitude and your look, so why not make your best effort in both?

If not now, then when? And if not you, then who?