This three-part blog series over the next few weeks is
dedicated to the dudes.
Objective: To show
our male counterparts the importance of going beyond suit and tie-with
consideration given to color, style, texture-and how it dramatically affects
the perception of you to the following….EVERYONE.
Evidence: Ambady
& Rosenthal (some smarties from Harvard) performed a study and published
their findings in the Psychological Bulletin 1992, Vol. III, No. 2, pg 256-274. In this study, they proved that not only do we
make quick decisions with small amounts of data….*drumroll*…we actually make
correct classifications (assumptions) nearly 70% of the time. Let’s break it down to normal-people
lingo: Several really, really smart
people have done studies, to prove that we stereotype everyone….ACCURATELY (big
deal here, folks)……within 30 seconds of meeting them. Before you consider
stepping up onto your soapbox consider this: it’s not shallow, it’s
SCIENCE. The study goes on to say judgments
from roughly 30-seconds of observation were as accurate as those at 5-minutes
of observation. So, whether we are going
in for an interview, a big client meeting, a date, or a court appearance the
first 30-seconds count and it can take YEARS to mitigate the first 30-second
impression you left. YEARS! Just because
you’re a dude and you may think “fashion is for girls” know this: your
“fashion” is either helping or hindering you and it can take years to recover
from anything less than a positive first impression. Do you have years to work with a new client
and make the sale? Do you have years to
give testimony in court? Do you have years to convince Mr. Target Corp VP to
hire you? Do you have years to convince
Sally Sue to date you? Maybe, but I’m
betting if you are anything like any of the men I know you would rather your
time is better spent elsewhere: like
showing your prospect your skills and abilities. Your clothing is always communicating something;
the question is “what do you want to communicate?”
Thus begins my three-part
series on things you can do about it NOW:
1. Get Lazy:
You heard me. Get Lazy Guys. You want more time to golf with your college
cronies, watch football while eating Top the Tator, or take your beautiful wife
to dinner (hint hint) then you gotta find something that works for you and shop
quickly and effectively. Heck, if you
had, let’s say, something like a comprehensive palette that includes colors,
styles, textures that you know will support you and your message-you could
even have someone else shop for you! (Hallelujah!) I don’t know how many guys enjoy shopping….even
if they do, generally, it’s not for very long.
When you find your Element, it’s a one time deal, and you will know with
100% certainty for the rest of your life what will “work” with you and enhance
your message and you will also learn how to avoid what has a large potential to
distract people from your message.
Saving time, money, confusion while shopping means more football, golf
memberships, a happy wife AND confidence J
Next Week: Part 2: "Don't Own a Black Suit"
