How You Look Could Cost You

For years, so-called experts have theorized that the constant evolution of pop icon’s Michael Jackson’s appearance was due to his need to be “accepted” by others. For some reason, he thought changing from what God gave him would make him more acceptable to the general public. Some have even gone as far as to say that Michael wanted to “be white.” The merits of those arguments will probably be debated for years, especially since now Michael is “larger than life”. But there is a growing body of evidence that indicates that how you look may actually have an effect on your pocketbook.

A recent study out of the Kellogg School of Management at my alma mater, Northwestern University, revealed that African American CEOs of Fortune 500 companies with a “babyface” look were more likely to lead companies with bigger revenues and influence than CEOs who look more mature. The study is supposed to be published in September in the Journal, “Psychological Science” by researcher Robert Livingston. What does it mean to have a babyface look? According to the study, a round face, full cheeks, larger foreheads, small nose, large ears, full lips and NO FACIAL HAIR. The opposite was true, according to the study, for white males, whose more “mature” look was rated higher. There is one quote from Livingston which was particularly troubling to me. He says “Physical appearance, how you behave, having mixed-race parents-anything that conveys to whites ‘I’m not the typical black man’ can be helpful.”

No wonder Michael Jackson wanted to change his looks. He didn’t want to be a “typical black man.” No wonder there is increasing pressure to fit in and look like others. The unspoken implication is that if people aren’t comfortable with the way you look, you may not receive the job, promotion, recognition that you deserve. There are major ramifications associated with this kind of thinking. The primary problem is that people who “don’t look like the others” who are extremely talented may be overlooked or ignored. That is a huge waste of talent and resources. And don’t think that women aren’t also put under a microscope. Previous studies have indicated that women with short hair are promoted more in corporate America than women with longer hair. What does that do the all the weave queens and Beyonce wannabes out there buying tons of hair every year?

And don’t think this kind of thinking is limited to the lives of celebrities and corporate CEOs. Just this April, United Airlines announced that it will charge passengers for two airplane seats if they can’t fit into one.  More than a third of American people are overweight and yet the size of most airline seats haven’t changed in decades. United says they are making the move to respond to the comfort and well-being of all of their guests. I wonder how comfortable and welcome an overweight guest feels when they are asked to pony up enough money for two airplane tickets or get off the flight? Americans have always been obsessed with beauty and power. Now it appears that not only are people being discriminated against either  overtly or covertly, it is also going to cost them.