WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT YOU GET
There is, indeed, a strong subtext to hair. Most women have
been brought up with long-haired fashion models and screen stars
as their role models. Long hair is particularly fascinating to men,
and women are made aware of this at an early age. Some women
equate cutting their hair with losing their femininity, but worry
that the image projected by long hair can be problematic in busi-
ness. Of course, in some fields long hair is an asset. The cosmetic
industry and the world of high fashion welcome the glamorous
subtext sent by long hair, but also accept the particular chic of
short hair. Increasingly, fashion models sport short cuts, especially
when the subtext desired is slick, contemporary style.
In men, longer hair is becoming more acceptable in the work-
place, but only on younger men. With older men, the hair is
best cut short and neat. Long hair seems out of place. In balding
men, combing the few remaining strands of hair to disguise the
loss of hair is also unsuitable. The subtext implied is that of a
man rather pathetically holding on to youth. In business, as in
any realm of life, men and women should learn to age gracefully
and accept the subtexts that an older appearance brings: among
them, greater experience, expertise, and wisdom. If their dress
and appearance are in keeping with their age, the subtexts will
also be acceptable.
Accepting your age gracefully might mean avoiding pointless
attempts at youth, but it certainly does not mean that you shouldn't
take sensible steps to overcome certain biases against age. There
is nothing wrong with avoiding gray hair by using hair coloring,
provided it is done subtly; and plastic surgery has helped many
men and women stay on in their jobs.
While changing your image to change your subtext works when
your business has a bias against age, it also works when age is