White Collar Image, Blue Collar Mentality

Men and women have always taken pride in their association with these two terms.  The term "white collar" has long attracted people because of the image it gives off.  Suits, ties, pressed shirts...professionalism and, ultimately, success.  The term "blue collar"  has instilled pride in the workers whose description this fits.  They take pride in working with their hands, doing the dirty deeds and knowing they fulfilled a hard day's work.  There are many differences between the two classifications.  But to be a great leader, to inspire people, you have to be both.

The origins of these terms comes from the early 1900's.  Industrial and manual workers wear durable clothing that can be dirty, soiled, or scrapped at work.  A popular element of such clothes has been, and still is, a light or navy blue work shirt.  Usually a lower education level and lower wages can be associated with this type of labor as well.  However, the values associated with this stereotype must be respected.  

"White Collar" is again characterized by the uniform of choice.  Sharply pressed shirt, crisp tie, polished shoes and pinstripe suit are some examples.  This image is associated with higher education, salaries, individual offices and an abundant lifestyle.  Most people will view the white collar class as being the bosses and managers, with the blue collar class being the laborers who execute the plans.  There has also been a negative image of being deceptive, greedy and sometimes lazy.  Almost everyone has worked with or under multiple people who can fit into that stereotype.

Many high school graduates base their higher education decisions based on the demographic they want to be associated with.  Most kids choose a 4 year academic university to be able to get a job in the white collar sector, with the rest going to trade schools to enter the blue collar sector.  They make these decisions based on where they project themselves to be in their future.  However, the vast majority leave these schools with a sense of entitlement because they completed their coursework.  Unfortunately, this is also why it takes the average job seeker 7-8 months to find employment.  They feel like they are owed a $45k salary right out of school.  With competition in every field at all time high, you must be in the forefront and lead to get ahead and have an edge.  You must become a leader.  

To be a true leader, to be a true success, you HAVE you possess the characteristics of both white collar and blue collar.  I'm not saying you have to wear the best suits and $500 shoes to get the perfect white collar image.  But you do have to care about it.  You have to look the part.  Take an extra 5 minutes to iron your shirt.  Take another 5 to shine your shoes.  You must show everyone that you take the time and invest in yourself and your personal appearance.  This is the first chance to make a solid first impression, so make it a good one.  For most people, this is the easy part because it's the fun part.  As a child, you loved playing dress up, putting on your dad's or mom's shoes and walking around the house.  This is the adult version, so most people love doing this on a daily basis.  However, the next trait is the one that gets ignored mostly and is just as important if not more.

You have to back your image with the blue collar work ethic.  Blue collar workers pride themselves on working their asses off, getting dirty and putting in a full day.  Remember when you played baseball as a kid how great it was to leave the game with a dirty jersey?  You never wanted to be the kid with nice white jersey at the end of the game!  The dirt proved to everyone you work hard and you're not afraid to get dirty if that's what it takes to get the job done.  Some kids, myself included, slid into home when they didn't have to just to earn that badge of honor.  You must have that same mentality in business.  You can't be afraid to hustle.  You can't be afraid to slide and get dirty just because you wear a clean white shirt.  

Always remember that people are first attracted to your clean and professional image, but its the blue collar work ethic that inspires people to follow you.  They can see in your day to day business you have the hustle and drive to not only be successful for yourself, but you can lead them and show them how to be successful as well.  So take some time each week to invest in your personal appearance, look clean and sharp.  But don't ever be afraid to slide.

Dealing with the Critical Conversations

When we are leading people or even a group of people, we will notice the bad habits and actions that they are making.  It's only human nature to notice these bad things, and harp on them.  Now, its important to encourage people with the good things they are doing and build on those traits.  However, it is also important to point out one or two flaws you can correct to help elevate their success.  This is where the critical conversations come into play.

I'm sure you've had had to sit through one or two of these conversations when you were being coached.  Remember how you felt when your coach told you that you "needed to talk" or "we need to have a critical conversation"?  So many times when we hear the term ‘critical conversation’ we immediately think of something negative. We start thinking about what we’ve done bad or what did we do to get in trouble. It shouldn’t be that way at all. We need to replace the word ‘critical’ with ‘important’.

These conversations help keep our people on the right track when we can tell they are straying from it. It’s similar to having a tailight out on your car. All you’re doing is looking toward the road ahead so you never notice when that certain light is out. So when you get pulled over for it, that deters you from getting to where you’re going. Same concept here—our guys are always looking forward to hitting goals and moving up in the company and that one little tweak can be the thing that keeps them from getting there. It is our responsibility as coaches to have point these things out and help correct them. We are doing our people a disservice and slowing their development by not having these conversations!!

How do I have these Important Conversations?

As leaders, we must get in the habit of constantly reviewing the progress of our team. It is up to us to let them know which light is burnt out. So once you figure out what it is you need to discuss, the next big thing is figure out how you are going to deliver the message. Naturally, we are mostly non confrontational so that is why it is so difficult for us to have these talks.  It is a tough thing to get used to since these are conversations we want to naturally avoid in the first place, but the quicker you get used to them, the more effective they will be.

The keys to delivering a great important conversation are indifference and taking the emotion out of it. Let them know that you are having this conversation because you want to help them hit their goals; they have to see the “win” in their habit change. Be as forward as possible; don’t beat around the bush with these. It will only lessen the effect of what you’re saying. Again, be sure to let them know how this will benefit them, not you!

When should I have these Important Conversations?

As soon as you can!! When you notice there is a problem, don’t let your people keep doing bad habits over and over again when you know they’re wrong. That is just ingraining them more. The best way I have found to deliver these is outside of the office in a casual setting. Take them out after work and talk. Your message will be more received and they will be more comfortable opening up to a dialog about the situation. This also shows you’re investing your personal time into them and that you care about their progress.

I know having these conversations can be difficult the first couple times you do them. I avoided them for the first 7 months I was a coach! But my team's performance and standards reflected that negatively as well. The quicker you get used to having these is the quicker you, your team and your office will see immediate positive growth based on standards and accountability.