How will you look?
Do you care about how you look? I think you should. As a leader, you are always in focus by others. It would be nice if they didn’t have to focus on a stain on your shirt, wrinkled pants or the hole in your shoes. It would be better if they focused on what more could be done to move the organization further ahead.
It took me a while to figure out what my style should be when I was younger. I always tried to look my best, regardless of what I was wearing. However, I became drawn to higher quality pieces which made me feel like royalty and a certain style evolved. I was trying to look the part!
I love what Martha Piper and Indira Samarasekera (1) had to say about looking the part:
“First, how you appear is not only about how others see you, but how you see yourself. Second, by feeling good about how you appear, you can focus on the tasks at hand, rather than worrying about how others are assessing you. And third, if you lack confidence in your own ability to figure out what to wear and how to dress, seek assistance.”
How do you want to see yourself? Do you want to be elegant? Or if you don’t want to look elegant, then perhaps you will go for stylish, sophisticated, dignified or something else like that.
From my own experience, I recommend the following:
a) Choose fabrics which allow you to move and breathe, and something you might choose to hold it in, or cover it up if you were self-conscious like me.
b) Choose a hairstyle which matches your skill level, with scent free hair products. For me, I choose a hairstyle which is easy for me to manage on my own, with a little help from a colourist and stylist every few weeks. I need to schedule hair appointments well in advance to ensure I save time in my calendar and secure the time of my preferred hair team.
c) For your face, I prefer a natural look with blemish covers (because blemishes can be distracting). If you do wear makeup, ensure your products match your skin tone and don’t overpower your face. Moisturizer is a must – regardless of who you are. I have to remind myself about using SPF products!
d) Consider dressing in layers — your body temperature can fluctuate during the day so be ready to peel off or add a layer when needed.
e) Have at least a few staples of good quality pieces that make you feel confident, whatever your style may be. (2)
f) If you don’t know what your style is, get help from a stylist or a friend who should’ve been a stylist. If shopping is not your thing or you just don’t have the time, it always pays to get expert help.
Looking good also includes taking care of our bodies and our minds, as mentioned earlier in the section about well-being and staying in balance. Stress is visible to the naked eye, as well as what we can’t see. It pays off to pay attention to this aspect of looking good.
Resources
(1) Piper, Martha, and Indira Samarasekera. 2021. Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First. Toronto, ON: ECW Press. pp.431-432 of 742.
(2) I learned this from watching What Not To Wear with Stacy London and her co-host of the time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Not_to_Wear_(American_TV_series). And they say TV isn’t educational ;)
Photo: Tammy Brimner/TLBVelo Photography
