Dressed for Success
I’ve spent the last six days in the heart of Kentucky. The culturally historic city of Louisville hosted the American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace, a bustling conference comprised of nearly 3,500 representatives from travel companies, destinations, hotels, restaurants, services, and attractions. ABA connects buyers and sellers for a week of relationship building and business increase. It’s the “big game” of tourism meetings and everyone has on their game face. All are dressed for success, including custom tailored suits, silk ties, pocket squares, and blue suede shoes.
As for me, the only thing I wear that is custom tailored is my hair. Self-tailored may be a better descriptor. Over the past two years I’ve ogled at some of the outfits. Most impressive were those worn at Churchill Downs this past week. I was thrilled to join the club of sun-drenched colors as I sported pink pants, tie and an Amish straw hat with pink ribbon. Admittedly, the pants were borrowed from a good friend, but nonetheless, I looked the part. I received more compliments on that outfit in two hours than on my best suit in two years. This got me thinking. What makes us memorable? Is it our suits or our smiles? Our pink pants or our possitive personalities? There is nothing wrong with looking good, but I simply don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on top labels at this life stage. The classiest name on the clothes in our home is OshKosh B’gosh, and I’m pretty sure that was a yard sale find.
For some time I believed that what I wore wasn’t good enough. I wanted to spend thousands on my wardrobe. I was envious. Along came an industry friend whom I’ve always considered to be best dressed. He stated, “It’s not the clothes people remember, it’s you.” A mentor and colleague later mentioned, “At the end of the day, no one cares what’s on the outside. It’s your heart that matters.” Most of us have heard phrases like these since we were young children. Yet, we struggle with our self esteem as we stare at our over-stuffed closets and proclaim, “I have nothing to wear.”
How do we walk with confidence that our personhood matters more than a personal tailor? Consider this- think about your best male friend. What brand shirt was he wearing when you last spent time together? I’m guessing you have no idea. And unless you donned a tutu with pink lace during the encounter, chances are he has no idea what you wore either. Even if your memory is better than the average bear, his outfit has nothing to do with the way you remember him or the value you place on the relationship. We are so much more than threads of colorful fabric woven together and stamped with a famous name.
We are so much more than threads of colorful fabric woven together and stamped with a famous name.
No tombstone reads, “Here lies Vincent in his Versace suit and Michael Kohrs wing-tips.” In business and at home, we are hearts, minds and souls created for connection. Our memories are centered around experiences, not eye candy. By all means, keep suiting up for the moments that count, but don’t forget to put on your smile and express kindness from your heart. By doing this you’ll create priceless memories that outlive even the most expensive pink pants.
Question: In what ways do you “dress for success” beyond the clothing styles and brands you wear? Comment below and help others to grow.
The post Dressed for Success by Nathan A. Claycomb first appeared on From Where I Sit.
2 Comments
Lesley Lehman
What a great article Nathan. Very well written and on point once again.
Nathan A. Claycomb
Thank you, Lesley. I’ve always seen you as someone dressed for success both inside and out! Have a wonderful weekend.
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