The research has been around for a long time. It has to do with our looks as members of the human race. Most by now know that a large majority of U.S. presidents were taller than average. The same is true for CEO's. On average, they're taller too.
But the issue is more than height. It's also about looks. Good looks, and, to be politically correct, less attractive looks.
We live in a looks-based culture. It's expected in the movies, and, I hope, obvious to most. You know. You can't see 40-year-old Sarah Jessica Parker without wanting to feed her a well-buttered croissant. But have you seen her husband recently? He's got an expanding waistline that doesn't seem to affect his roles.
But here's the research finding, in legal terms from an article, Our Beauty Bias Is Unfair, by Dahlia Lithwick in Newsweek: The less attractive you are, the more likely you are to receive a longer prison sentence, a lower damage award and . . . a lower salary.
I assume that the American cultural priorities have changed little over the past 25 years. That being the case, here are the top three arranged in order of most importance with #1 as the most important:
- Beauty (handsomeness for males)
- Money (Notice. Money is not the topmost value.)
- Intelligence.
In the earlier years of my coaching business, there were a few occasions in which I was hired to help a guy dress better: polish shoes, laundered all-cotton shirts, stylish ties without food stains, neatly cut hair, etc. That's been a long time since. But people still look. Sometimes it's obvious to them. But even when it's not obvious to the looker, the antenna automatically pick up on attractiveness or the lack of it, including dress.
But annoyed or not by this information, I'd suggest that you not ignore reality. I recommend that you dress just slightly better than the average in your group. The payoff? You'll get a bit more attention from the boss which just may translate to better opportunities.
Here's how I handle the issue. Whenever I get a new client in a new firm, I always ask some details about the dress code. Consultants, like anyone else, can get over-dressed or underdressed for the workplace.
And if you think dress is not obvious, guess again. On several occasions I've been hit on by a . . . well, what do you call them today? Hooker? As a result of the last experience, I had the good fortune to get really educated by a professional, the concierge attendant at the Marriott outside Richmond, VA. I'd gone for dinner to a nearby mall, after a consulting gig. The restaurant opened to the outdoor mall area, and a hooker strolled up and engaged me in conversation before I realized . . . .
I'd changed after consulting with a CEO and was wearing old Lev's and a comfortable, slightly worn sport shirt. I was so surprised, that I stopped by the concierge room when I got back to the Marriott to talk to an obviously astute African-American in her sixties for an explanation. Which mall she asked. It was the upscale one. "Oh honey, no guy your age without money is going to be there." But she didn't stop the education process. "It's your leather belt. You didn't buy that for $25. And those shoes. They're Italian." But most of all, she said, "That haircut." I interrupted her and asked what hair? "Well, she went on. However little hair you have, it's been styled, not cut." She was so accurate that I was in a state of shock. Then she ended the conversation with a bit of fun. "Honey. If I was 25 years-old again, I'd have hit on you too."
Next question. Why am I calling your attention to this information? Workmates and bosses notice your appearance. It may not immediately register, but if you're outside the norms, you'll really get noticed and it won't be to your advantage. That's true for both males and females. So watch your package.