Success today requires the agility and drive to constantly rethink, reinvigorate, react and reinvent – Bill Gates

In my earlier blog, I had talked about adaptability as a key requirement in these tough times. This blog, however, talks about being one step ahead – being agile. It isn’t only about being flexible today but also about being responsive, being able to see through the challenging times and about seeking newer and innovative ways to emerge victorious.

We have write ups everywhere talking about agile leadership during crisis. Why limit ourselves to agile organizations and agile leaders. An agile mindset and approach is needed by each one of us today. While the new normal is becoming our way of life, let’s introspect and see whether we are being agile and progressing or simply being adaptable and embracing the change. The pandemic has emerged as a villain of all times and we have all spent a hearty time condemning it for making our lives miserable. Blaming however, will only foster an atmosphere of fear, anxiety and inaction. Let’s not inculpate the virus anymore because that will hamper learning and foresight.

Crises test us but resilience helps us to win. The time has come to bounce back into action. To some of us, this crisis has given small zones of comfort, which could be the solace at home or the cuddling with the kid, the relaxed morning tea or the afternoon nap. Let’s pause for a moment and think how would things be had this pandemic never happened. The pandemic has surely given us some of the most sought, sweetest moments of our life, and for that solely, we are thankful.

It’s time we look at unprecedented ways and carve the best way forward for ourselves, leave the bag of laxity behind and zoom in the fifth gear. Some of the things that we can do to tread the path of learning and progress could be working on our opportunities or even our limitations. This could mean pursuing an online course for upgrading our knowledge, improving our language and communication, creative writing, reading or devising new lines of business. Let’s be more self-aware than ever and utilize this time to enhance and upgrade and be stubborn to achieve our goals.

If our desire to change is greater than our desire to stay the same, no one can stop us.

Imagine the beauty of a peacock rattling its tail in the rain or the serenity of a river flowing graciously from a mountain or the freshness of a blooming rose. The above scenes appeal to our senses and are a treat to our eyes. We all like watching things that are beautiful, attractive and good looking.

We engage in appearance management each day of our lives. The level of involvement, however, can vary according to individuals, time and circumstances. Theoretically speaking, we know that there is so much more to a person than what meets the eye but ignoring the science of the first impression can also work the other way round for us. Everyone is in control of their appearance and when we are neatly groomed, we create positive statements about our personality, attitude and values.

An understanding of the impact of our appearance is vital here. It is interesting to note that our clothes first communicate with us and then with others. What we wear and the way we look affects the way we think, the way we feel, the way we act and behave and the way others react or respond to us. When we dress casually, we feel casual too.

Our appearance is a reflection of motivation and professionalism. A casual attitude easily sets in when we work from home, which a lot of us continue to do and it is acceptable. But how justified is that when we face someone online? Work from Home culture is pushing us to be lazier when it comes to our dressing. While the time isn’t demanding us to be dressed in 3 layers every day, we must look orderly and here are few tips for the same:

1. Wear fabrics like cotton, linen, rayon. Avoid hosiery and lycra. They give a very casual look and feel.

2. Wear bright and dark colors. Avoid pale ones.

3. Females can either opt for neat and creative buns or open hair ensuring they look neat. Males must keep their hair brushed and combed properly.

4. Males definitely need to take care of their beard, unless clean shaven. Keep the beard trimmed and shaped. Let the pandemic not be a reason for an unruly beard any more.

5. Females must try to wear basic make-up. This not only helps us look better on the screen but also elevates our overall look.

6. Females must continue to accessorize – less is best

7. Try and manage a source of light overhead while facing someone on the camera. The light must fall on our face. This adds a glow to our face and pulls up our look.

Impressions matter equally in the virtual world. Dressing shabbily is a sign of ignorance and arrogance. Let’s dive into our wardrobe, give them a jig to our work wear hanging in there as orphans, adorn them and look attractive as ever. After all, looking good is our right!