Good Looking People

Jump to Comments

My mom once told me I was a late bloomer in good looks and intelligence. I can’t argue, the childhood stories and photo albums peg me as a dumb ugly kid. If my mom read Penelope Trunk’s article on good looking people, she might have had a little more to worry about.

So do good looking people really have an edge? If you answer no, I would say you have a poor understanding of your surrounding environment… or you’re actually blind.

We’re naturally drawn to attractive people. When you walk into a room they immediately catch your eye. Attention gravitates their way, and with that comes high visibility. You become known quickly and can leverage that to win good projects, face time with senior associates, the list goes on and on.

If you’re good looking, smart, and have strong leadership - the sky’s the limit. There’s no doubt about that. If you don’t have what it takes, however, you’ll get found out pretty quick. Looks can only take you so far. The most succesful people in my industry aren’t the likes of Brad Pitt that’s for sure. To be succesful you need a team of smart and trustworthy people. Those kinds of associates don’t make stupid decisions. You’ll have to prove your worth if you want them to support you.

To be a model you have to be hot. That’s a no-brainer (get it? no-brainer). Modeling is a short term gig. Succeeding in the corporate world is a long term affair. Looks don’t matter in the long term.

Here are two of my thoughts about what’s more important than looks to help you get ahead from a corporate standpoint.

Short Term

Personal branding. How do you present yourself? Are you a confident person? You can do a lot to distinguish yourself from the pack. Looks alone aren’t the only ways to be noticeable.

Communication. Learn to give good phone. I would say your speaking ability is more critical than your looks. This goes for presentations and especially phone conversations. I’ve just started working in the corporate world and I’ve been on projects with people I’ve never seen in my life. My whole opinion of them is based on conversations over the phone, email, and basically the work they get done. If I do get to meet them in person I don’t think their looks would largely sway the perception I’ve already created.

Long Term

Respect. If you don’t earn my respect don’t count on me to do much for you. When push comes to shove and you look over your shoulder - I won’t be standing there… no matter how hot you are.

What are your thoughts? Do hot people get it easy when it comes to the corporate life? What are your experiences? Do you think plastic surgery is a career investment??

2 Comments

Filed under Personal Development