Looking the Part

  It's never been a well-kept secret of upward mobility in business: To get ahead you had to "look" the part and to stay on top you had to continue to update the "look." Essentially that look was right out of out of central casting for the business leader (at least those along the Northeast Corridor, not in locations such as Texas.)

For males it tended to be tall, fit, well-connected and having presence (sometimes called "charm" or "charisma"). The watch mattered.

Versions now extend to females. Those usually include tall, fit, astute in networking and attentive to others. In my field of communications, it can cover shoulder-length hair. The dress mattered. (The Wall Street Journal documents there remains a difference in how males and females can score what they want in terms of persona.)

On professional anonymous network Reddit there are two long threads on the look related to large law firm leader Brad Karp. He's been chair of Paul, Weiss since 2008. The threads are here and here.

Essentially in the threads there is nothing new about the look formula. Karp is perceived as understanding exactly how to present himself in the office in order to 1) Exude authority 2) Boost team morale. An interesting plus is that, a poster on Reddit notes, he is often seen walking the corridors with important personalities not part of Paul, Weiss. That could be labeled the living presence just-in-time photo op. 

Some may recall that when former head of Fox Rupert Murdoch walked through the offices of the news operations the dynamic was that all faces seemed to turn toward the sun god. However, there has always been a general question: When the leadership “walks” happened should one acknowledge the force field with eye contact or keep the head down, as if totally absorbed in the tasks.

Times do change even rigid success formulas. As we know from the horrific media coverage Disney's boomerang CEO Bob Iger is receiving, the traditional leadership profile is no longer enough. Business conditions are too volatile. Overall, Iger's charm offensive has been falling flat. Also, the female version is also no longer a sure thing. We note in the collapse of the valuation of 23andMe founded by well-connected Anne Wojcicki.

In addition, not all looks are equally marketable. If a number of business leaders were on a panel with OpenAI’s head Sam Altman, with his intense aura, who would probably get the most media attention? Whose break-out session would you attend?

Since leaders are holding on way into the 90s, there could be some leeway provided in the looks of things. Both males and females could lose inches in height and put on poundage. In media relations they can post a profile photo from decades ago. Because of mobility constraints they could back off The Walk. 

In my coaching I advise clients to put together the personal branding of the next level they are driven to be at in a specific culture.

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)