As a new store manager, he put his head around the door and asked… “Well come on then, where is it – the cardboard cut-out you use?”
We laughed. It was meant as a compliment.
I’ve often reflected on this conversation. The position between the dress code we upheld and the concept of diversity, as in all peoples, shapes, sizes, appearances...
One time, in that same job I interviewed a slightly unkempt young man who swaggered in, not making a good first impression. My go to (my bias) was always hands, nails and teeth. Were they clean?
I could have spent that interview looking for evidence that supported the appearance based assessments I was making.
I don’t recall what he said to persuade me otherwise, but I reflected later on the power of the interview. I set aside the standards of appearance I was holding and listened. We employed him, suggesting he give the dress code some attention.
This then was the reinforcement of cardinal lessons about bias and our pre-conceived notions. It behoves us all to listen slowly, with curiosity to our inner self-talk about how something or somebody is. To hold it lightly, with the possibility that we might well be missing a different perspective.
