notes from a manager

I may still be relatively young, but I have been a manager since my first job out of college. That means I have eleven years of management experience to date. I don't say that to brag in any way, in fact there are plenty of days I wish I wasn't "the boss" because being the boss brings with it incredible responsibility and frequent frustration. But that isn't the subject of this post. Since my first job as a manager in 1998 there is something I have noticed and something that I have wanted to say to young people at large...I just decided to say it now in this public forum.

Young people (or anyone for that matter) there are some basic things that can make or break your relationship with your boss. This isn't an exhaustive list, but it does include some common issues:

dress code: I wasn't born in the era where people wore suits to work everyday or their best clothes to get on an airplane. That's a good thing. because in that era I would never have had the opportunities I've been afforded as a woman in my generation. I am okay with business casual most days and then dawning a full suit for special meetings or presentations. I have noticed as a manager a serious lack of pride in personal appearance among young people. They think nothing of coming to work scruffy and wrinkled and sometimes even dirty. It isn't just the creative types that try to get away with this, it seems to be a generational thing. As a manager, I do not want to talk with you about your skirt being too short or your shirt being too low cut because it shows your underwear. I don't want to have to tell you to brush your teeth or use deodorant and comb your hair because it is a hot mess. I don't like having to point out that wearing a Corona shirt, jeans and flip-flops is not appropriate attire at the office even on casual Friday. It wasn't in my job description to have to parent grown people who should know better. If you want to impress your manager, come to the office dressed to work in an office. I've found it also does wonders for professional etiquette while working. Maybe there is something psychological about standing in front of a closet and picking out an outfit. When choosing professional clothing we also put on that attitude.