Inter-sections.net : Look like your boss

Comment on Look like your boss by Merijn Vogel

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:21:39 +0000

The industry matters, as does the country. In the Netherlands, people running/owning media or marketing companies are usually wearing very informal, hip clothing. You can’t be a good projectmanager in the creative business looking like a bank manager.

Also, the term “higher up” is rather uncommon, we do like peering with one another, hierarchy and authority is something Dutch people seem to dislike a bit in general.

However, in bank or insurance companies, suits and being compatible really pays off and is needed for promotion. I read an (anonymous?) rant of someone in an internal magazine at some insurance company. The ranter didn’t get promoted because of his hairstyle (longish, as a male), and that his boss admitted that that was one of the top-reasons.

Trackback from : CutTheCookie » Blog Archive » Good Programmers and Looking Like Management on Look like your boss

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:29:50 +0000

[…] by the same author: Look Like Your Boss has some humorous observations about how different levels of stereotypical management-types dress, […]

Comment on Look like your boss by troels

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:40:03 +0000

You say, that changing behavioural patterns is easy, being aware of it. I don’t agree with this point of view, so I figure that’s a subjective matter. Some people may be better “chameleons” than others.

Comment on Look like your boss by daniel

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:21:05 +0000

troels: certainly you’re right. “easy” might be an exaggeration. However, it’s downright impossible if you’re not aware of it. Being aware of it, though, you can at least do it one step at a time, taking your time, but eventually getting there.

Comment on Look like your boss by Keith Lard

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:08:18 +0000

There’s a book called ‘How to Persuade People Who Don’t Want to be Persuaded’ by Joel Bauer which is very good on the way appearance affects people’s perceptions of you. It also has some great suggestions about how to get people to remember you and your ideas, and how to sell yourself to potential clients.

http://www.amazon.com/Persuade-People-Dont-Want-Persuaded/dp/0471647977