Dreadlocks in the business world attract much attention.
Co-worker, managers, and others may not understand or have
misconceived beliefs about the unique hairstyle. This, in
turn, could cause communication problems, avoidance, and
misunderstanding against the person with dreadlocks. By
proving yourself a hardworking and positive contribution to
the company helps others recognize your contributions and
not judge your hairstyle.
Here are tips to help you survive any job or career with
dreadlocks:
- Believe in yourself. Regardless of what happens during
the workday, keep confidence in yourself strong. Those who
hired you believe in your skills to help the company or
department meet goals. Stay focused on that purpose.
- Be professional and dedicated. "Professionalism is
knowing how to do it, when to do it, and doing it," quotes
Frank Tyger. In essence, this means doing what the company
hired you to do at the best of your abilities. Make a
habit of creating to-do lists everyday and complete many
tasks as possible.
- Build strong working relationships with coworkers. Be
friendly with everyone in the company and be a part of the
team. Have a positive attitude to be more approachable and
easy to work with.
- Have good work ethics. Work long hours and extra time
when the job or task needs it. And don't complain when you
have to work beyond your standard hours. Take pride in
your work and leave a statement of success in every task
you complete.
- Be on time. Get to work on time, or better, five to ten
minutes before. Punctuality is important to managers and
co-workers. It shows your respect for others who depend on
the work you do.
- Know your company. Take time to learn about your
company, its culture, long and short-term goals, and your
responsibilities to help reach those goals. Visit the
company's website often, attend all meetings, and ask
questions that will give you a better understanding of your
role in the company.
- Dress well. Make sure your clothes are clean,
winkle-free, and fashionable according to the office dress
codes. Shine your shoes and groom your dreadlocks. Men
should wear long dreadlocks in a ponytail behind the head.
Women are more flexible. A loctician or image consultant
can help you create a professional business hairstyle with
dreadlocks.
- Underpromise and overdeliver. Never take on more than
you can handle and research your tasks thoroughly. It's
always better to wow your co-workers and boss by doing more
than to apologize for not delivering on time.
- Improve your skills continuously. Keep current on the
changes in your industry and upgrade your skills match your
industry's standards. Sign up for online courses, use
computer based training (CBT) CDs, and attend seminars
about your job or career.
- Stay positive no matter what. Keep track of what you say
to you and others. Always try to end all conversations on a
positive note. Never say you cannot perform a task, but
rather, you will find a way to resolve the issue.
- Work gossip-free. Do not gossip with co-workers and keep
your life personal. Walk away, change the subject, or state
you don't like talking about others when someone tries to
gossip with you. If gossipers talk to you about others,
they also talk about you to others. Most managers know who
the gossipers are. Be careful.
- Learn the art of listening. You have two ears and one
mouth, try to listen more than you speak. When someone
approach you for help, advice, inspiration, or anything
work related, always give them your full attention with eye
to eye contact. If you can't fully attend to the person at
the minute for any reason, it is better to reschedule the
conversation.
- Limit alcohol consumption at company events. Drinking
alcohol creates alter egos you may not want co-workers to
know about. Also, drunken people make statements about
dreadlocks, play with your hair, or ask silly questions
making you feel uncomfortable.
- Expect some people to dislike your dreadlocks. Do not
worry about their thoughts of you or your life. As the
motivator Les Brown says "What others think of you is none
of your spiritual business." Remember, you are on a mission
to be the best you can be.
- Stay motivated for success. Take spiritual time everyday
to appreciate who your are and the gifts you have to offer.
Decorate your office with positive pictures, posters,
books, and quotations. Develop an attitude of gratitude
for your job.
Start today on making yourself more valuable to your
company with your dreadlock hairstyle. Leave a mark of
excellence in everything you do. When co-workers and
managers see your dreadlocks, they will also see a person
dedicated to the success of the company, their job, and the
team.
----------------------------------------------------
Jeffery Bradley is the author of "Don't Worry Be Nappy! How
to Grow Dreadlocks and Still Get Everything You Want".
Visit http://www.howtogrowdreadlocks.com
for more
information of living successfully with dreadlocks.
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