A Social Response to Corporate Indecency

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Hi David

I think we're tired of being clones from a model that's broken. The corporate look is just an external embodiment of what's broken, at the core.

So the real issue is how do we fix the core. Not an easy task. So we rebel against the corporate look.

I've met enough genuine, compassionate people in suits whose conduct is faultless; as well as poseurs who mouth the right anti-authority lingo, and use the emotion for their personal benefit.

My guidelines are to asses:

Is the person responding from a 'command-control-i win all' position or 'lets get this done together and we all win'.

I look for the non-verbal markers. The pro who looks at home in formal clothes because she's focused on the task at hand. The shifty who divert attention to the inane [e.g. we've always done it this way] to distract from the real issues.

People who look at filling in the hours and others who figure out ways to get work done.

***

Another part of this big change is that our language is still evolving to imbue new meanings or create new words.

Being a through professional is a great compliment - it implies integrity, responsiveness and a commitment to deliver my end of the bargain.

If the old business mentality has permanently damaged the connotations of 'professional', its time to create a new language too.

After all, we're still an evolving species. The cockroach hasn't evolved much and its been around longer than we have. :)

Cheers

Anita Lobo

You know, I'm not sure social media is what brought about our need for more authenticity, trust, and transparency. I think that came from watching the downfall of our nation's economic status. How can we trust anyone that's gotten us into this mess? If they've operated in business suits, clean resumes, whatever you have, and we're here now -- why would we continue to trust that?

Yes, part of it is Gen Y, but the collective We got punched in the face and that punch shattered our rose colored glasses. Screw what you wear, how you comb your hair, the shine on your shoes -- what do you do everyday in your WORK that shows you're improving your business and your industry?

Of course, in the right time and place, professional dress and the corporate appearance are a necessity. But, I think it's been proven in the day to day that a suit and a corner office do nothing to prove talent or character.

Good stuff.

No, social media didn't encourage us to change mindset, nor has it evoked a feeling of more trust needed. Trust (or lack of it) has been around for eons, since man lit the first fire and someone worried about their flame being stolen.

Every single individual is responsible for two things - how they're perceived and how they perceive others. Trust comes from how you act every day. Trust comes from what you say and how you say it. Trust comes from following up on words, commitment, promises.

The same goes for you trusting others. I'm generally of the rule that you get my trust until you break it, then you better work damn hard if you ever want it back.

So the whole trust issue is an ever-constant, and being trustful and trustworthy is something only you can do.

All social media has done is allow you to get a more open view as to how much trust is in you, and the people and companies you deal with.

First of all David, great post.

I would like to hit on both topics that seem to be getting some air time here. On the issue of corporate trust, I believe that it was the corporate mistrust that allowed social media to get legs. Instead of listening to what the brand wants you to think, people now listen to what their friends, followers, readers, and favorite writers think.

As for appearance, I have worked in a handful of industries from finance to bartending. After three years of nothing but dark suits and power ties, I was over it. That is when I made the decision to go into business development for a technology company and now a marketing firm. The one constant from the transition from a suit and tie to jeans and a polo is me. However, it is positive that I feel more comfortable and my dry cleaning bill is less.

~Miguel

I like where you've taken the discussion. What immediately came to my mind is the shift in culture. We spend more time at work than any generation prior. We're expected to put our whole selves into our work. There has been a slow shift away from the 80 hour work-week back to a work-life balance. (Some of which can be contributed to the Gen X/Y factor and influx of social media.)

That work/life balance hasn't fully spilled over into the 'professional culture' just yet. We still judge people based on looks. I could have a million dollars in my pocket, but the sales people at the car dealership aren't going to talk to me if I come in looking like I just finished mowing the lawn. I don't look professional, so therefore I can't afford their car.

I admit that it used to be when I first met someone who looks out of place (ratty tees, dirty, ripped jeans, unshowered)I questioned their skills until they proved to me otherwise. Not so much anymore, as sometimes I wish I could be the person in ratty tees and ripped jeans!

Did Social Media have anything to do with the broadening of my mind? No. It was my experiences with people in professional settings, being forced to wear suits in non-suit environments, and dabbling in corporate culture for a brief period. In fact - I tend to be wary of the person in the suit who believes that how they look is more important that how they perform.

I hope that as I move forward in my career I am able to embrace the 'new professionalim' and move away from situations that love traditional professional business mentality.

What's the next blog-stream Laura, Arik, Jen and David?

Conduct...a powerful word. Each day & every day of our lives, we need to ask for the grace to conduct ourselves as we would like our children to conduct themselves.

We have flaws & will make mistakes, but trust (they key metric of all brands) is exponential when we are transparent. I hope all our corporate executives are open to seeing this.

O I think you were raging ^_^

I'm definitely happy to see this shift occurring as well.

Thanks for the inspiration Jen.

How you guys know I was ranting? I might have been raving. ;)

This issue of conduct v. appearance has been a focus for me for years. In my early years of this PR career of mine, I struggled watching a few "professionals" that appeared stellar, but were horrible when no one was looking.

It's less about what they are wearing exactly than than about someone's overall style. You CAN be a little different and still be professional. Anyone with decent judgement skills will see this.

And I'm happy to see this is happening more and more lately.

Hey David,

I don't know about anyone else, but I dream of the day when I can wear pajama pants and a hoodie to work, simply because that's an outfit that makes me feel comfortable, and when I'm comfortable I can feel focused on what's in front of me (tasks, projects, etc.).

Now I understand that pajama pants and hoodies are never going to be the office norm, unless my home is my office, but I've never understood the "corporate look." With the new call for trust and authenticity within companies, I think (and hope!) that companies will start focusing on the personal self and encourage their employees to be who they really are.

I definitely agree that there is a dress code line that should not be crossed, but as was stated earlier, just because someone dresses all sharp and dapper, does not mean he/she is competent. It's all about one's attitude, personality and skill set. Dress codes should come last after those three.

Wishing I was in pajama pants and a hoodie,

Rich

David,

Professionalism is ones attitude toward the culture of the business, company, and industry. It varies from firm to firm and industry to industry. It is part of one's social skill - almost like not talking with your mouth full of food. While it means you dress a certain way, it's part of the social contract one should abide by in the work place. It's less about looks but more about comfort in association an identity where we all say I look a certain way to put myself, my company, my industry, and, by association, my coworkers in the beat possible way. It also includes ethics around moral behavior but, in the end, it's still a behavioral quality of the attitude.

It's very different from skill, however, which is the technical knowhow to complete a task well. But skill does not define professionalisum. It just is a measure of one's ability to get the job done. And a person can have all the skill in the world, if they call people names in the workplace, don't shower, or don't have the right clothes for their job (like a lawyer going to court with jeans on or a trader not wearing a tie), they won't get far because they lack the social skills to move ahead.

Well said David.

I think that many of the last events are making us shift towards honesty and integrity, because we realize now that unless we do the right things, all of us will lose. The change in business mentality is another part of this, is people saying "Let's cut the bullshit, and be people". Humanity is starting to be more appreciated than looks. Big things are happening. I'm just curious about how fast it will happen.