On facebook, one of the crew posted a question asking whether facial hair (a well trimmed beard in this case) is a good or bad thing in sales.
There are lots of ‘classic’ sales training arguments that would say that it IS a problem.
I have sported a goatee for about ten years coz frankly, underneath it, I don’t have a chin. (makes changing sheets and pillow cases a challenge – haha, you’ll get it in a sec) ….
but seriously, there’s some subconscious shite going on that does not serve with facial hair. My lil man (now ten years old) but when he was three or so knew Mr Spock was the ‘EVIL’ Mr Spock from the alternative univerese, just by Leonard Nimoy sporting a beard, and think of this, most villains have facial hair and most heros have none (except Wolverine, who’s kind of an ‘anti hero anyway)
And with very few exceptions, politicians do not sport facial hair as their research tells them that it just statistically makes it harder to get elected. But I still think a three year old KNOWING without being told that this actor is bad when all he did was whack on a beard. Mr Spock again is good because his demeanour didn’t really change, he is emotionless as the good guy and the bad guy, so really the visual distinction is all he had to go on.
My take is, do it if it makes you feel good (like I do) but I accept that it probably costs me a few audience members/followers/clients, but I also figure me being self conscious about NOT having a jaw line, would cost me MORE !!
So if all things are equal and you want to be more persuasive, then yes, clean shaven will beat facial hair, BUT all things are not equal, and your self confidence, your energy, your ‘mojo’ if you will is exponentially more important than facial hair, so if you gotta do it, do it. Like I said, I been a goatee wearing dude for the better part of a decade.
And Tony Robbins too, and he’s influenced a person or two !!
