SUBTEXTWhat about executives interacting with people above or below
them in the corporate hierarchy? Should they vary their style?
"You should talk neither down nor up to someone. You have
to be yourself," he said firmly. "Ask permission to use your boss's
first name. In most cases, he or she will agree."
On the other hand, don't walk in on someone you don't know
and use his or her first name. The subtext, then, is one of crassness
or arrogance. You must first get an indication of how that person
feels about being on such a friendly basis with you.
Dealing with a subordinate is an even more tenuous situation.
"If you're talking to the foreman of the shop and you wish to
give him a sense of dignity," Pfister says, "address him as mister.
The subtext is respect."
DO CLOTHES MAKE THE IMAGE?
As for the subtext of dressing, clothes do make a big difference
in how you are perceived. In Walter Pfister's opinion, neatness,
cleanliness, and appropriateness are the all-important factors.
While he believes certain colors in men's clothes are "power col-
ors," he also feels that most business advisers have gone overboard
on the subject. "Say the shop foreman comes in to see the chairman
of the board. For him to get dressed up in a blue suit he only
wears on Sunday is just not appropriate. But he certainly shouldn't
come in with grease on his hands!"
I agree. There are colors that send a strong subtext, though
it's nonsensical to think you can guarantee success by wearing
them. What colors can do is help change your image. For men
in the business world, dark blue, black, and charcoal gray are
colors that project a subtext of strength and competence. White
shirts and muted ties complete the image.