I waste no time to openly express when confronted by a lack of performance…call it my Montana upbringing, thirty years of radio delivery or fear of failure, the common ground to which we stand cannot be equal if what’s being presented doesn’t include something near or above yesterdays self proclaimed best.
During these economic twists, three hundred sixty degree spins and frantic fumbles small business owners in hot pursuit of survival recognize the indifferences shared between destiny and fate, long term versus here because it’s a job, any job. Company managers and owners lean far away from the idea of forking out more than minimum wage because there’s no loyalty. Therefore, there’s no true essence of dedication and determination.
Sick days have become extended vacations. Holidays are stretched across weekends making it extremely simple to pull off a five and six day break. The idea of having to lie in a bed and spoon with Saturday or Sunday remains an insult which deflates the company’s mantra of penetrating a level of success that reaches farther than their nearest competitor.
And if it becomes expected the protest isn’t heard but rather seen. Casual Friday’s are now everyday which has opened the door for less than professional during weekend time spent at work. I’m extremely guilty in the way of hoofing around the building at 5:30 AM in workout clothes and no shoes.
I know it’s wrong, but what do the experts think? Have we become too phat in the places we’ve sat? Straight to my business expert I ran…Anne Marie Sabbath quickly calls out the proper game plan, “Khakis and a collared shirt.”
The master behind One Minute Managers claims your weekend work attire should be one notch below upper level management. If Khakis and a collared shirt are worn Monday through Friday…do it again on the days that make up the weekend.
The Pro Bowlers Tour on ESPN and NASCAR are great examples of this life and style. Outside of a few unrehearsed methods of on the track cheating or accusations of illegal drug use, the makers of these two sports promptly put their stars inside the ranks of proper attire. Fans of both sports recognize each team’s efforts of being a single unit by proudly wearing their colors therefore resulting in faithful fellowships of followers.
I can’t imagine channel surfing into Tiger Woods and catching him in a pair of workout shorts with no shoes. How do you think he feels about having to work on Sunday’s? I don’t think it affected him during this past weekend’s victory.
I once created with a Country Music program director who felt tremendous stress from his air staff when he’d stand before them and say, “Live the part. How you dress is how you feel and what you feel is what listeners will pick up without ever seeing a picture of you.” Along came the World Wide Web with pictures and it has yet to convince those behind the microphone to change because suddenly we look just like everyone else.
So what happens when you’re invited to an unexpected meeting with your manager and a possible future client and without a doubt you are seriously underdressed?
Anne Marie shouts, “Learn from it!”
The gold rule of great business is: You’ll never get in trouble for looking great. It’s always better to slightly overdress and be able to remove a jacket or tie than it is to be underdressed and find yourself in an embarrassing situation. Even if you’ve been invited to an interview and they mentioned a casual dress code, the professional decision to make is go Khakis and open collared shirt not jeans and matching shirt. If the future boss claims Khakis are fine…reach for the dress and suit.
Face it…thanks to the NBA, NFL, Becker and Wayne Gretzky loyalty means nothing outside the sound of cha-ching. This has filtered through the ranks of professional play straight into the hallway of everyday. The only difference is pro players dress for success. If you live like this is your final breath that's how you’ll dress. Pro players are nothing more than glorified employees of tremendous value and if the price tag is right, tonight you’re sleeping in a new bunk bed this side of Japan. Looking great is just as important as playing great,
A fellow student of study in martial arts recently picked up his roots and replanted them in France—a hard working man who traveled the country and around the world because his nuclear education carried with it unforgettable value. No matter where I saw this man be it before class or within the realms of the real world…he never took his keen eye off his performance in dress.
Maybe that’s the secret. If locked away in a world of at home unemployment, while sending out resumes and cover letters, maybe it’s best to watch the way you dress without limiting yourself to doing it everyday except weekends. It’s only natural to consistently want something bigger, better, best but to get there you’ve got to watch the way you dress.
Outside of his LA Laker’s jersey on the floor of the Stable Center…I’ve never seen Kobe Bryant decked out in anything but a well tailored suit. Michael Jordon was no different. Look at the Carolina Panthers when they step off their bus after a trip away…they’re still wearing a GQ game face.
Call me insane but this needs to come back to the workplace. In a business world of constant cutbacks and red tape workday worth will could exceed the limits of everyday value when the dust settles and companies begin to take their eyes off the present and put it into the future where it belongs. Once that process begins to take shape, CEO’s GM’s and receptionists will become a commodity when presented in a way that brightens company pride and respect.
Until then…passion in the workplace is what coworkers point and laugh at and you’re left standing there wondering why no one wants to work weekends? Winning is a choice…
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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