Thanks for stopping by! I definitely agree that you need to be professional. I just like breaking the professional = boring equation.

Thanks,
Timothy

You’re right! I’m routinely requested by customers because I’m laid back, easy to work with, and have personality, yet I’m still detail oriented and get the job done. I like to think I strike a good balance . Thanks for dropping in!

Thanks,
Timothy

I haven’t worn a bear suit yet, but if I feel the time is right, I’m going to LOL. Professionalism for the sake of professionalism just isn’t my cup o’ tea. I’ve seen plenty of companies that are so strict that I see people walking out of the doors loosening their ties . I place a high value on loving what I do.

Thanks,
Timothy

I’m glad to hear! Everyone needs a bit of air guitar in their lives .

Thanks,
Timothy

You raise excellent points!

Firstly, I want to ensure that it is understood that my opinions on casual dress are in no way indicative of my levels of respect for people. If I’m applying for a job, I will dress appropriately, although I won’t censor my personality (and it’s a big one!), but I will show the proper respects.

As such, I also wore a tuxedo to my wedding (my wife had a strict “no bear suit” policy) . When it comes to business, it is definitely situational. I’m heavily on the tech side of business which has a long history of being rather informal. Finance is a passion that I have, which is why I love WA.

The industry, and the percentage of annual income per client will make a huge difference in how you choose to dress. Formal industries call for formal dress. I would wear a suit if a significant portion of my income were to be determined on it.

As for managers and loyalty, I think that loyalty has been skewed because of the fickle nature of businesses. People don’t feel loyal to their companies because the companies have proven to not be loyal to them. I can’t blame people in many ways. Loyalty to a company bent on profit maximization is suicide, or an abusive relationship at best.

I believe companies worthy of loyalty will receive it, but the burden of proof is on the company because of the history of lay-offs. The lack of loyalty should be considered an expected by-product of profit maximization.

The same holds true for managers. Managers worthy of respect, at least in my experience, will receive that respect. They won’t from everybody, but the one’s who matter (and will have a job) will respect them. Respect is earned. Just as no manager will truly respect an employee until they prove themselves. I definitely think there should be a mutual level of respect for one-another as humans, but that has been eroded by the collective morality of society (a totally different subject).

I definitely understand how casual dress can lead to an informal attitude, and that’s where the situational aspect comes in. I also think that is where maturity comes in. If you can’t offer respect because you’re in blue jeans, then maturity is the problem, not the jeans.

Put more blatantly, informal people probably shouldn’t try working formal positions. I would make a terrible Supreme Court justice. That is why I love the melding of tech with finance. I have the informal outlet of technology and the philosophies of finance. It allows a person like me to present my different (sometimes strange) points of view for people to consider.

I know that is a general statement, and there are all shades of gray in between (such as Google, Pixar, etc) but that’s it in a nutshell.

Wow, this is a really long response, sorry! To summarize your questions:

I believe that decorum plays a minor role in respect towards managers, and that minor role is probably more related to maturity than attire.

Lowered work ethic, in my opinion, is a result of a few things:

-Over abundance. We have had too much extra for too long. And it’s easy to get abundance just about anywhere.

-The over emphasis on egocentrism. We are a very self-concerned society, taught to value our own needs over everyone elses.

-Poor parenting. Too many kids have a sense of indebtedness, as though they are owed something. Give your 9 year old an iPhone for free, with no strings attached and they’ll feel they are owed an iPhone for the rest of their lives.

Loyalty I believe is a result of the employment climate created by companies laying people off. I understand why the companies did it, but it’s not conducive to loyalty. On a relational level, I believe broken families and incessant infidelity in movies and real life contribute to the lack of relational loyalty. Everyone is afraid of getting hurt, so instead, they choose not to commit at all.

I’m really sorry for this uber long response, but I hope it sheds more light on what I was meaning. Have an awesome day Steve, it’s always a pleasure.

Thanks,
Timothy

In todays world, the dress is determined by position, authority, or power. I own my company, which gives me the power and authority to choose to wear “business casual”, but I would expect that someone coming in to an interview would be dressed “business” until they are hired, or given permission otherwise. If the employee is calling on clients or giving a presentation to a group, I expect them in business attire.

Spending 26 years in the real estate industry, when I met clients or investors, I dressed business-They had the power and authority to dismiss my services, which affected my pay. Until they gave me permission to dress otherwise, I was always suit/tie.

Question for you-do you believe that the shift in professional decorum I explained above has anything to do with the lack of respect that managers and above get in todays world? Of course taking for granted that the manager is not a dictatorial idiot. How about todays work ethic or loyalty? Maybe you could add a part 2 to your post and expand.

This post-along with many others-is the reason I like to follow WA and read regularly; you always write in a way that provokes thought and opinion. And as you already know I have a lot of opinions!

Great job.
Steve