Does Clothes Make The Successful Woman?

November 6th, 2009 Remember when you spent hours deciding what to wear to school the next day? By Trish Dozier Trish is our COI (Center of Influence) in the LA region. Below find a thought provoking article on the implications of “using what you got – to get”…that sparks a discussion about how much does the way we look really influence our success, and our perception in the business community & playing field?As a businesswoman who has a passionate palate for entrepreneurialism, I am fascinated by the turning tide of how women in business are perceived during these times.It used to be taboo to make any sort of sideways comment related to a woman’s appearance and/or physical makeup in the workplace… prime fodder for a legal battle.  Not the case anymore.  Men and women alike seem to partake in suggestive-talk when referencing business dealings and/or decisions.  It seems in the quest to carve out a sector of respect, women have come to terms with the fact that there is a strategic angle within a defeating topic.To “take one for the team” is now a common joke among the sexes… openly.  The conversations surrounding what women wear and the reactions that equate to ‘potential associated dollars’ is commonplace.  The whole notion of a woman “thinking like a man” while maintaining an outer feminine shell is relatively mainstream and, the source of many a bestselling books these days.I can speak to this topic because I live it on a daily basis.  Where does a woman draw the line for herself now?  Is it easy or cunning for us to dress for the occasion, knowing very clearly who our audience is and what outcome we desire?  Maybe… but how about when we’re frank about our intentions when called out?  That is precisely the difference I am fascinated with in the current climate.  It seems as if there is no sacred element to what one can and will do to achieve their goals.  And we’re bouncing the ideas back and forth between the sexes in a rather lighthearted manner, in all sorts of industries, using all sorts of language.Despite the jokey tendencies, it is an issue that can cut us open, if and when we allow it to.  You have to be able to sit with, and face yourself, at the end of your day.  And only you will know if you’re compromising integrity for the sake of climbing the proverbial ladder.  I know it sounds trite, but balance is critical to character defining decisions such as these.  So if you cannot accept your own reputation based on decisions you made for yourself, then something is wrong… and it’s okay to make it right.I believe this topic is more a testament to how difficult it is in these times, even prior to the economic downturn, to carve out a rightful, successful place for women in general.  No matter the expertise, nor the intelligence of the individual behind the master plan, there still seems to lie a “Hollywood vibe” mentality beneath the surface… which could loosely be translated into “it’s all in who you know and what they can do for you, and most certainly, the package it is delivered in”.The morale of the story… hmmm.  A woman holds a great deal of power, simply by what is intrinsically hers.  She can choose to dole out her power in small bites, or she can pull out the big guns, and she can certainly offer a combination platter, but the best and most important thing she can do is respect herself.  If she can truly achieve this, that is the most attractive and attracting thing she can do to cultivate success.Check these out for your continued reading pleasure:An informative definition of “gender differences” on Wikipedia (click here.)General overview of sexual harassment  on Workplacefairness.org (click here.)More information on sexual harassment (click here.)Microsoft Small Business resources article on if women make better managers (click here.) Tags: advice for women in business, businesswomen, dress codes at work, gender differences, microsoft small business resources, sexual harassment, trishdozier.com, wikipedia.org, women in business LA, workplacefairness.org
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