The client conversation that initially inspired my thinking was about a difference of opinion around who dictates what you wear when you are WFH. Aside from the number of roles we may have to occupy on any given day, how clear are we about the expectations of our employer and, more importantly, if left to our own devices, what do our choices reveal about us?
It might be fair to say (or possibly too early for some) that we are now getting used to how to cope with the rigours of lockdown and functioning professionally at home, but perhaps additional etiquettes need to be considered. Should employers tell their population what to wear and be more prescriptive about ‘codes of conduct’ when WFH? My client felt this was an intrusion whereas her boss saw this as a function of leadership. My wider conversations showed an interesting variety of approaches but a consistent underlying sentiment. Some global institutions have been very front-footed and have sent out skyline backdrops for each member of their population to load as their Zoom/MS Teams background, others have branded a neutral, generic background with the same intention. The sentiment? Your environment needs to simulate the professional workplace and is an important part of the process of feeling like you’re at work when you’re working.
Other organisations have left this entirely to the discretion of their people, but with some potentially unforeseen consequences. In times of extreme uncertainty, we cleave to authority figures to lead us through it and help us feel and perceive that we are in safe hands. Boris Johnson hasn’t been seen without a jacket and shirt since this began so what perceptions are created if your CEO arrives for a conference call unshaven/unkempt or in a t-shirt with holes in it? These invisible signals land heavily on our sensory receptors and go straight to feelings of trust. If you lead in any part of your organisation, what do your choices of outfit invisibly convey about your readiness, capability and trustworthiness? Irrespective of where you sit hierarchically, thinking carefully about what your physical appearance states about your professional ability is crucial to how you are perceived and I would argue that the higher up the company you are, the more important this becomes.
There are other environmental factors to consider on top of whether you opt for the unbrushed hair, t-shirt combo or a sharp, clean look with a shirt or business casual top. On top of all the immediate and practical pressures we’ve experienced getting set up to WFH, there is the issue of boundaries. Cameras on laptops reveal a huge amount of personal data that we’d never actively choose to share with colleagues; we have unwittingly given open invitations into the sanctity of our homes to those who would ordinarily be kept on the other side of the boundary. Our choice of clothes is just one aspect of this private space with personal items, size of room, family photos, furniture, clutter, etc. just the tip of the iceberg. What does your background say about you and are you comfortable with that?
I’m lucky enough to have an office (having WFH for decades) so I am able to exert full control over what is in my background and how I show up. However, if you have to work from the kitchen table or your bedroom, what more could you do to ensure you are creating the right impression whilst WFH? I’m starting to see why the generic, corporate background could be a one idea to avoid these pitfalls.
In summary, our outfit choices and personal grooming statements are important signals to our mental state and preparedness for work; essential things to think about whilst WFH. Equally important, however, to give proper thought to what else might visible to your colleagues and make the small adjustments necessary to ensure you are comfortable with what you’re sharing.
Our conclusion: creating the right impression isn’t as hard as you think, but it is much more important than you might imagine.
If you would like to change your background to something generic, this is relatively straightforward on Skype and Zoom but less obvious on MS Teams. Here is a link with a quick and easy guide to help you do this if you choose to do so.