Black and dark grey are the colours of ‘seriousness’ whereas dark blue and navy are the colours of ‘ambition’


differently. I reassured him that this was not the case and that any changes were all his own doing. On the upside he was rather taken aback that people reacted so positively so quickly. All his concerns about not being taken seriously had evaporated.


People happily quoted him at meetings, invited him onto new projects and, best of all, he had got a good appraisal and had been recommended for promotion.


Our appearance has a more profound impact on others than we may realise


On the downside he had to spend more money on his work attire and he was very troubled that the people at work, whom he thought were his friends, treated him so differently merely because of what he wore to work. Their reaction would be understandable if he had started to behave differently or if his work performance had suddenly changed. At the time I suggested to him that his colleagues had probably always respected him, but now they could see (by his image) that he respected himself. I also suggested that our appearance has a more profound impact on others than we


may realise. I asked if he was going to return to his old dress standard now that the trial period was up. ‘Not bloody likely’ was his immediate response!


Now practically, and realistically, Groundsmen and Greenkeepers can only perhaps dress to the higher standard on certain occasions e.g. at a meeting, an interview, on visits etc. This may mean keeping smart attire in the locker at work, but it will make a difference if we can slip into something more formal on more formal occasions.


If we dress sloppy - we can behave sloppy


Now I like to dress ‘casual’ at home but what we wear is also known to affect our own behaviour. If we dress sloppy - we can behave sloppy. We give ourselves permission to not be on our best behaviour. If we dress smart - we seem to behave smart. It is as if we know that we are making an impact and we will be remembered for what we say and do. If we dress in our best outfit we are on our best behaviour.


It also reflects on the public’s perception of our profession and we would all do


well (including me) to remember that everything we do in a public place is observed and noted by the public. For example the people of Harrogate in late January every year judge the Greenkeeping profession by the behaviour of the Greenkeepers. If they look smart in the evenings and are polite it is noticed and commented on. If a minority get drunk and behave in an anti-social way it will also be noted and commented on. Those of us in management are also judged by the appearance and behaviour or our off- duty staff.


So remember to ‘plus one’ your image when appropriate and ‘plus one’ your behaviour if necessary!


You can contact Frank direct by e-mail at frank@pitchcare.com or via his personal website www.franknewberry.com


Places on the next ‘Pitchcare Essential Management Skills for Groundsmen and Greenkeepers’ workshop starting in the autumn can be reserved by contacting the Pitchcare Training Co-o


ordinator Christine Johnson at chris@pitchcare.com


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