Style for Life

Episode 23 - How to have difficult conversations about someone's appearance

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This was a listener question.  She wanted to know how to have a difficult conversation about someones appearance when they were not or appeared not to know how to dress for a particular occassion or just work.  Here are my top tips; 

  1. Establish what the issues are:
  1. Smell?
  • Clothing style or fit?
  • Lack of knowledge or understanding about clothing norms?
  • Hair / make up / shortness or exposure?
  • Establish and write a company dress code policy.  
  • Make a time for a casual meet up and find out a bit about them – what are their values and are they in a position to fund new clothes or pay more attention to their appearance.  
  • Ask them if they have noticed what others wear to work around the office
  • Talk to the person on the day that they have dressed inappropriately, in a confidential setting & tell them that their attire may be perceived as inappropriate
  • Define casual Fridays so there is no confusion about what to wear
  • Talk to the person in person not over email
  • Always speak in private
  • Be clear on what the problem is and explain why
  • Be positive about other aspects of their job and reassure them that they are not going to lose their job
  • Act quickly as soon as the issue arises
  • Don’t get personal  - talk about work standards and the image your company is is trying to portray.
  • Help them with solutions

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    Best of luck and keep the feedback coming.  

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