John T. Malloy released has bestseller “Dress for Success” in 1975 and “The Woman Dress for Success” in 1977. He looked at the effect of how you dressed and the subconscious impact it created in the mind (perception) of others.
Malloy approached the subject from the “scientific method” and provided good evidence of its validity. “Dress for the job you want; not the job you have” and “look good, feel good” became popular mantras among the professional crowds.
For the past 36 years, I have believed in the power of power-dressing and perception, and for the last 10 years as a professional business consultant and speaker, I have incorporated this into my coaching and courses.
I wake up every day with a passion for helping others achieve their full “God Given Potential” in business and life. I read, listen to, and consume information from top experts and synthesize that information into useful, implementable ideas for my clients.
I recently received an email from my friend Mike Calhoun CEO of “Board of Advisors” about an article published in “The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology” (July 2012). The title “Enclothed Cognition” instantly captured my attention.
Disclaimer: I believe that we all have a higher purpose and calling in life that transcends our business world. I am well aware that our value as humans is not tied to how we dress.
I’m sure you’ve heard, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” While this is true, it addresses others perception about you and not your perception about yourself.
When you attend certain social functions, you take care to dress appropriately for the occasion. While you are conscious about others perception of you, you may not be aware of the effect it has on your performance.
Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky conducted research on the effect your dress has on your “Ability to Achieve.”
They coined the term “Enclothed Cognition” to describe the psychological effect your dress has on your potential confidence and performance. Enclothed cognition involves the co-occurrence of two independent factors—the symbolic meaning of the clothes and the physical experience of wearing them.
By using a measure of attentiveness, carefulness, and sustained attention;
Three groups were tested:
1. Tested not wearing any lab coat
2. Tested wearing a “doctors lab coat.”
3. Tested wearing a “painters (artist) lab coat.
They were able to show how clothes systematically influence wearers’ psychological processes. Three experiments demonstrate that wearing a lab coat increases attention.
• Attention did not increase when the coat was not worn or associated with a painter.
• Attention only increased when the coat was a) worn and b) associated with a doctor.
The influence of clothes thus depends on wearing them and their symbolic meaning.
Practical Application:
Dressing for business and/or social interactions can boost your self-confidence and performance if you clearly identify the clothes you wear with an empowered mindset.
Power Tip: Buy good clothes, but don’t spend a fortune. The key is getting a good tailor to fit them properly.
Power Tip: Working out and eating healthier can give you an edge as you lose weight and have higher energy.
Power Tip: Take equal care to your personal hygiene and grooming. Reach me at DrRonEccles@gmail.com
