Does Appearance Matter?

So, we visited my mother over the past weekend.  During lunch, a fellow-resident stopped by her table to ask her, "Oh, is this your brother?"  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  Crying won.  My mother is a rising 101-year old.  I suppose the question represents progress.  She was once asked if I were her new husband.

Clearly, some number of rational people perceive mw to be quite close to her in age.  Is it past time for Botox?  Should I be thinking about a Lifestyle Lift?  I didn't like Debby Boone thirty-five years ago, and I am disinclined to share that, or any other, experience with her.  Appearance, apparently, does matter, though.

As much as I might carry on about the importance of substance and materiality in what we do, and how we do it, in our supply chain professional lives, very few will allow themselves to appreciate our potential for significant contributions unless we can get past the first impression made by appearance.

Yes, in a blow to the intellectually superior, superficialities are important, even vital.  How we dress, whether remnants of breakfast cling to our shirts, grooming, weight, and basic hygiene are all first signs that make instantaneous impressions, for good or for ill.

Energy, physical attributes, ease and clarity of oral communications, and an air of confidence all reinforce the first wave of impressions, and can continue perceptions of capability and credibility, eith positive or negative, going forward.

But, it's a hand-in-glove situation.  Appearance alone will be quickly debunked, while content alone may not get us through the first door.  We, as professionals, must have both for acceptance, and continued development and progress.

Now, where's that Lifestyle Lift web site again?