Be Attractive – Better! Results Tip #5

What the heck does that mean? Be attractive!!!

John, are you suggesting that we buy fancy clothes and expensive shoes, wear makeup, get cosmetic surgery to compensate for perceived facial flaws, and do whatever else can be done to make ourselves more pretty or handsome?

Certainly not.

What I’m suggesting is to become more aware of whether our work habits and communication styles attract or repel others.

For example, if we’re perceived as harsh, pushy, overwhelmed, disorganized, consumed by drama, selfish, unreliable or unfocused, will others want to be around us or not?

On the other hand, if we’re known for being on time, prepared, outwardly-focused, solutions-driven, polite, and present, isn’t it more likely that co-workers, supervisors and customers will want to work with us?

Let me give you two examples. As a supervisor, Jim has the reputation of being unreasonable and harsh on his young staff. He barks out commands without explanation, hides in his office behind stacks of paper and side-by-side computer screens, is consistently late for meetings, provides no coaching or feedback to his employees, and then wonders why his employee turnover rate is the highest in the company.

Jim complains to his peers that his staff is just plain lazy and that he can never find motivated job candidates to fill the ever-present openings. He seems to be in a perpetually foul mood, hates to be interrupted, and makes it clear by his facial expressions and overall demeanor that he sees it as a waste of his time when his so-called team asks him questions.

Then there is Ann.

Ann’s folks love working for her. She is polite, patient and present when her employees come to her for guidance. She gives clear instructions followed by relevant real-world examples. Ann freely shares her management reports and her boss’s expectations with her team. She tells each employee that her job is to make sure every one of them could potentially replace her at some point.

And before I forget, Ann smiles. A lot.

At the same time, Ann is no pushover. She holds her employees to deadlines and commitments, expects the best from everyone every day, and never hesitates to provide quick feedback when an employee isn’t pulling their weight. Her employees will tell you that they feel disappointed when they let her down.

Result, Ann’s turnover is the lowest in the company. Most of her employees couldn’t image working for someone else. And Ann’s managers love her, too. She’s reliable, pleasant, always prepared. Her team is given the most interesting and creative challenges to solve, and she comes through every time because she has a deep list of experts throughout the organization who look forward to working with her.

By the way – Jim and Ann have identical positions in two regional offices in the same company.

One final but important point. I’m not suggesting that we become artificial or sugary-sweet in our efforts to be attractive to others. Legitimacy, congruency and authenticity are the foundation.

So let me ask, are you ‘attractive’ to others? Do they want to work with or for you? Or do they prefer to run the other way when they see you approaching?

We have the power to control how other people see us. And how people see us has a definite impact on their willingness to help us achieve our goals.

Next time you have the chance, make a decision to ‘be more attractive’. Then pay attention to the result.

John J. Hall, CPA

John J. Hall, CPA, is an author, speaker and results expert who presents around the world at conventions, corporate meetings and association events. Throughout his 38-year career as a business consultant, corporate executive and professional speaker, John has helped organizations and individuals achieve measurable results. He inspires audience members in corporations, not-for-profit organizations and professional associations to step up, take action and “do what you can.”