Color Outside the Lines: Redefining Professionalism

In our roles as professionals working within the realms of quality, safety, environment, or other standards, we often encounter an unspoken expectation regarding our presentation.

The conventional image often conjures up visuals of conservative attire – perhaps brown cardigans with elbow patches, with a bowtie thrown in, symbolic of a traditional, serious professional demeanor. But is this truly reflective of who we are, or a facade we adopt to align with industry expectations? 

What if your wardrobe is a canvas of bright pink and your footwear choice leans towards comfortable sneakers? What if we have arms full of tattoos that we don’t want to hide? Does deviating from the norm compromise our credibility in the eyes of our peers and clients?  

As ISO auditors, consultants, or professionals in similar fields, we do have a professional image to uphold. However, does this necessitate the suppression of our true selves?

My personal journey mirrors this conflict. I, too, am drawn to bright colours and sneakers, yet found myself conforming to a more subdued, colorless professional wardrobe. I also know of other men and women in the industry that wear their tattoos with pride. They do not cover them, like back in the day where you wore long sleeve business shirts to hide your real self. 

This internal tussle between personal preference and professional expectation begs the question: 'Which version of ourselves are we presenting to the world? And more importantly, which version are our clients expecting or comfortable with? '

In navigating this fine line between fitting in and standing out, we are not just choosing our wardrobe; we are defining our professional selves in a world that is rapidly re-evaluating what it means to be a professional. 

 "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
 – Oscar Wilde

Signature Styles: Buddies to Boardrooms 

When I get together with my friends, it's always interesting to see how our fashion choices reflect our unique personalities.

Each of us, while in similar life stages, expresses ourselves differently through our clothes. One friend always turns up in classic, tailored suits and another goes for bold, unconventional outfits that are really stand out in a crowd.

I have another friend, that no matter what the weather, they wear a nice singlet because they love to display their tattoos (and why not, they are amazing!) This variety in our dress, much like our individual personalities, brings excitement, differing opinions and healthy conversation to our group.  

In my professional life in a normally conservative industry, I see a parallel here. Just as our different fashion styles amongst my friends brings different perspectives and ideas, a workplace that values individuality encourages a culture of innovation and creativity.

This diversity of thought and approach is particularly beneficial in my field. It enhances our problem-solving skills and auditing techniques, aligning perfectly with the principles of quality management and continual improvement. 

Moreover, allowing personal style to shine through in professional dress plays an important role in building an authentic and approachable image. This is crucial in establishing trust with clients and stakeholders.

The variety in styles among my friends doesn't just highlight our different personalities; it also highlights the positive impact of embracing individuality in professional settings. It not only improves problem-solving abilities but also fosters innovation and builds a more inclusive and adaptable environment in our industry. 

In the Harvard Business Review (HBR) article Authenticity | The New Rules of Work Clothes, Naima Judge, a Managing Director & Market Investment Executive, shares her journey of transitioning from traditional black and brown suits to more vibrant attire in the financial services industry.

Embracing brighter colors and styles that felt more authentic to her, Judge highlights the deeper significance of this shift. It wasn't just about comfort; it was about bringing her authentic self to the office, and consciously serving as a role model, in a conservative field.

Judge believes that allowing attire to be an expression of who you are can have profound benefits. It saves the energy otherwise spent in conforming, which can instead be directed towards focusing on clients and uplifting colleagues.

This approach to professional attire sends a powerful message about the value of authenticity in the workplace, challenging traditional norms and setting a new tone for office and professional dress codes.