In A COVID-19 World, Don’t Zoom Away Your Credibility
Your attire and grooming are some of the simplest things you can do to maintain your professional bearing.
By Cindy Ann Peterson
The current coronavirus crisis continues to have a significant impact on the economy, employment, and people’s lives in general. And, as many meetings are now conducted on Zoom, Skype, or some other cloud-based video conferencing service, it is even having a psychological impact for those fortunate enough to be employed.
A recently article in the American Bar Association (ABA) Journal article indicated that lawyers have been “dressing way too casual during Zoom court hearings,” Citing examples of attorneys who appeared on video casually dressed with no concern for their personal grooming, appearing in bed still under the covers, with one male attorney not even bothering to put on a shirt, Florida’s Broward County Judge Dennis Bailey wrote “It is remarkable how many attorneys appear inappropriately on camera,” It appears that relaxation of dress codes has given way to the complete abandonment of dress codes.
This raises an interesting question in what constitutes “appropriate” while teleconferencing. While various authors have issued various guidelines over time, the abrupt turn for America at large to resort to teleconferencing has left somewhat of a sartorial lacuna.
However, in the absence of clear contextual rules, one way to look at this might be to not ask the question of how you should look. Rather, put yourself in place of the person or people that have to look at you during the teleconference, and ask these three questions: 1) does it demonstrate personal respect for the position you hold? 2) does it demonstrate respect for your peers? and 3) does it demonstrate respect for the institution of which you are a part?
…ask these three questions: 1) does it demonstrate personal respect for the position you hold? 2) does it demonstrate respect for your peers? and 3) does it demonstrate respect for the institution of which you are a part?
Imagine a video conference in which you are appearing in court, or in a multinational meeting where millions or billions of dollars are on the table, or a meeting where you will be discussing the status of a project or program, and where the daily conduct of business has always been coat and tie, but is now conducted virtually. Some might ask “what difference does it make? I’m on time, I’m in attendance, and I know the subject. Who cares what I look like?”
Viewed from the perspective of those that have to look at you, however, the message is completely different. It not only makes you appear unprepared, it shows a lack of respect for the position you hold (not to mention gravitas), as well as a lack of concern for the responsibilities that have been entrusted to you. It also shows a lack of respect for those in the virtual “room” with you, and it shows a complete disregard for the institution of which you are a part.
Being properly dressed and groomed for a meeting is the first step in demonstrating that you not only care about your own credibility, but you are keenly aware of how you could be perceived by others. Above all, you understand that you are, in fact, the face of your institution.
An excellent current day example is Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony to the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday May 12th. Providing his testimony virtually, Dr. Fauci was well groomed and dressed in a coat and tie, just as he would on a normal work day. His suit clearly was not a $8000 Brioni. Rather, it reflected a senior government official with a simpler taste who is more focused on the weightier issues of public health currently afflicting the US and the world. As the face of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, his suit not only signals deference to the institution he leads, but reflects a keen awareness for how his appearance could be perceived by everyone online. Even from home, the message in his persona was “I know my job, I’m prepared, and I take it seriously.” Rhetorically, imagine if he had appeared in a bathrobe looking like he had just gotten out of bed.
Of course, everything is about context. No one who is attending your Zoom meeting on being a software developer, or lawn mower repairman, or a big wave surfer at Nazaré, is likely to expect you to appear in a suit. The point is to give some serious consideration to how people normally dress in your profession. Don’t let the fact that just because the meetings are now virtual, you no longer need to be concerned with how you look. It is important to send the message that you are just as prepared and take your job just as seriously when meetings are virtual. This could be especially costly to your career if your boss or someone more senior to you suddenly appear as an unexpected attendee.
Your attire and grooming are some of the simplest things you can do to maintain your professional bearing. Don’t allow yourself to get lazy and allow these small oversights to cost you your credibility, job or career.
