American companies and the rest of the corporate world may not have a good understanding of dreadlocks. The unique hairstyle is popular and attracts attention. However, someone with dreadlocks could face avoidance, hear negative statements, or not be respected as part of the team.
To survive in Corporate American or any job with dreadlocks, you must commit to hard work, perseverance, and a dedication to excellence. You cannot change or control the actions of others, but you have full control over how you react and act.
These tips will help you stand out and be successful in your career work with dreadlocks:
– Believe in yourself. Regardless of what happens during the workday, maintain your confidence. Those who hired you believe in your abilities to help the company or department meet its 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 the best you can for what the company hired you for. Get in the habit of creating to-do lists every day and complete as many tasks as possible.
– Build strong working relationships with coworkers. Be friendly with everyone in the company and be part of the team. Have a positive attitude to be more approachable and easy to work with.
– Have a good work ethic. Put in long hours or overtime when necessary. And don’t complain when you have to work beyond your standard hours. Take pride in your work and leave a statement of success on every task you complete.
– Arrive on time. Get to work on time, or better, five to ten minutes early. Punctuality is important to managers and coworkers. Show your respect for others who depend on the work you do.
– Know your company. Learn about the company, its goals, and how your skills will help achieve those goals. Visit the company’s website frequently, attend all meetings, and ask questions that will help you better understand your role in the company.
– Dress well. Your clothes should always be clean and ironed. Be sure to follow the company’s dress code. Shine your shoes and fix your dreadlocks. Men should wear long dreadlocks in a ponytail behind their head. Women are more flexible. A loctician or image consultant can help you create a professional business dreadlocks hairstyle.
– Under promise and deliver more. Never take on more than you can handle and research your tasks thoroughly. It’s always better to surprise your coworkers and your boss by doing more than apologizing for not delivering on time.
– Improve your skills continuously. Learn about the advancements happening in your industry and keep your skills up-to-date to match them. Enroll in online courses, use Computer Training CD (CBT), and attend seminars about your job or career.
– Stay positive whatever happens. Keep a record of what you say to yourself and others. End the conversations on a positive note and an action step. Never say that you cannot do a task, but that you will find a way to solve the problem.
– Work without gossip. Don’t gossip with coworkers and keep your life personal. Walk away, change the subject, or say you don’t like talking about others when someone tries to gossip with you. If gossipers tell you about others, they also tell others about you. Everyone knows the person who gossips the most. Be careful.
– Learn the art of listening. You have two ears and one mouth, try to listen more than you speak. When someone approaches you for help, advice, inspiration, or anything related to work, always give them your undivided attention with eye contact. If you cannot fully attend to the person at that time for whatever reason, it is best to reschedule the conversation.
– Limit alcohol consumption at company events. Drinking alcohol creates alter egos that you may not want your coworkers to know about. Also, drunk people make statements about dreadlocks, play with your hair, or ask silly questions that make you uncomfortable.
– Hope some people don’t like your dreadlocks. Don’t worry about your thoughts about yourself or your life. Les Brown, the motivator, quotes “What others think of you is none of your business.” Remember, you are on a mission to be the best you can be.
– Stay motivated for success. Take spiritual time each day to appreciate who you are and the gifts you have to offer. Keep a place in your work area for family photos, instruction books, and calendars. Develop an attitude of gratitude for your work.
Start making yourself more valuable to your company today with your dreadlocks hairstyle. Do the best job you can do for each task. When coworkers and managers see your dreadlocks, they will also see a person dedicated to the success of the company, their work, and the team.