Posted by Dave Lorenzo - Business Coach

I received a couple of comments from the Suit Yourself  post last week.  These folks did not leave me their e-mail addresses so I could not respond to them personally and I think there are some good points to be made. Here are the comments and my thoughts:

“Dave I think you’re dead wrong about the suit and tie article “suit yourself”. An out of place suit makes you look like a pompous ass and doesn’t make people think you’re “better”,only that you “think you’re better”. I have no problem being underestimated at first, only to wow people later. Bottom line; if you’re not comfortable in a suit, everyone will see your discomfort. Be yourself. P.S. You are not wearing a tie above the article and you look very professional, why didn’t you want to impress with the first pic we get to see of you?”

“Dave, I think the President who said “This guy looks like he means business.” may have been mocking you for wearing a suit in the 90 degree weather. Suits, especially ties are ‘out’ right now and as a manager, I think often often make people look like they’re trying to hard. On you’re home page, three out of four men are not wearing ties (including you). Kind of proves the point that first impressions are not based on suits and ties!”

There are a few different issues raised in these comments that I think are important to address:

First:  “Suits make you look like a pompous ass.”  How should I respond to this?  Suffice it to say that the only way a suit will make you look pompous is if you open your mouth and say something condescending – or indicate by your behavior that you are pompous.  If you wear a suit to a “non-suit” environment and you act modest/humble the suit will be a sign of respect for the person that you are meeting.  Think about a job interview, a trip to the bank to request a loan, an appearance before a judge or another authority figure – you want to appear serious and humble in those circumstances.  What are you going to wear? 

Next: “Suits don’t make people think your better, they only make you ‘think’ you’re better.”  Ok.  I think my meaning got a little twisted around here.  I meant only to imply that wearing a suit gives many people a sense of confidence because they feel good about the way they look.  Confidence is important.  If you look confident and you feel confident you definitely have an advantage compared to someone who does not look and feel confident.

Then we have:  “I have no problem being underestimated at first only to ‘wow’ people later”.  I have no argument with this statement – on the surface.  However if you don’t make a good first impression people may not take the time necessary to give you an opportunity to “wow” them.

As for the fact that I’m not wearing a tie above the article (on the home page) – that’s true.  As I said in the post, I wear suits to meetings I have in person on three occasions:

• If it is the first time I am meeting someone.
• If I’m asking for money (presenting a proposal).
• If I’m delivering critical information.

On other occasions I may not be wearing a suit.  Again, it all depends on the situation.  I also agree with being yourself – however people judge you by your appearance.  You can be yourself and look professional.

Finally we have the point about suits being “out” right now.  Here are the past few meetings I have attended and the attire of the folks in the room:

• Introductory meeting at a large medical device manufacturing company.  Every man in the room was wearing a business suit.
• Two separate meetings with prospective coaching candidates (entrepreneurs).  Both gentlemen had suits on.
• Meeting with the owner of a small construction company in a trailer, at a job site, in hot, humid weather – the gentleman had on a dress shirt, tie and dress slacks with a jacket hanging on the back of his chair.
• Meeting with the manager of a hotel.  He was wearing a suit.
• Meeting with the owner of a day spa – at a Starbucks.  He was wearing a sport coat, slacks, dress shirt and a tie. 
• Meeting with my attorney – he had on a suit.
• Meeting with my accountant – he was wearing a suit too.

I guess these folks don’t know that suits are out either.

Bottom line – in making a good impression, you will never go wrong wearing a suit.

Thanks for your feedback.  As always, comments are welcome at my e-mail address: DLorenzo at DLorenzo Dot Com (replace “at” with @ and “Dot” with a period) or at AskDaveLorenzo.com

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Posted by Dave Lorenzo - Business Coach

I received a great question at AskDaveLorenzo.com. Richard said:

“I would be very interested to read more about your experiences on the board of directors at your condo. For many people, serving in such a capacity is the only “management” they will be doing in their career at that time and your insights on how to make a difference when you have no power, live with those you are working “for” and have to deal with unrealistic expectations would be very interesting to read.”

Richard is referring to my post a couple of weeks ago about my condo board.

So far things have been moving forward with each board member assigned to different tasks.   Whenever we have to make a serious decision I continuously force those decisions to be made on the basis of facts and not based upon emotion.  If someone raises an issue I ask to see evidence.  If someone wants an immediate decision, I ask how informed we are on the topic and then I ask how informed we could be.  If there is a gap, I recommend that we table the decision until we have the facts.

There is some tension among the board members.  There is a great deal of emotion in the room whenever we meet.  I view my job as keeping us on an even keel and helping us make the best decisions possible.

Thanks for the comment, Richard.  I’ll share whatever information I can that may be helpful.

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