My conference at Disneyland, CA. last week was wonderful. It is always so refreshing to learn new things about the field you are working in and get inspired to do better at your job.
For myself, being a speaker and coordinator of this conference, it was especially exciting to see the attendees during the conference get inspired and rejuvenated about what they do each day at work.
The Healthcare industry is what we call a “wild animal.” It is always changing, we never know what new technology is coming next and need to be able to keep up with the changes in a positive way in order to give our patients that best care that they deserve.
Being at the first park that Walt Disney opened “his creation” is always exciting to me. I grew up in the Southern California, not too far from Disneyland. The park opened in 1955 and my parents took my siblings and I to the park when we were just young children. We watched over the decades the growth and changes in this Magical Kingdom.
Even today as I strolled the streets I could feel the wonder and magical feeling that Walt wanted for all those who came to Disneyland.
I stayed in the Disneyland Hotel and each morning as I would get ready to speak, I would see the card above staring at me in my bathroom “Neat & Ready.”
This is one of Walt’s policies for all of his employees. For me as a presenter it was a constant reminder that I too had to make sure that I presented in a way that my audience would approve of me and my appearance, which plays a big part in how people receive us.
So often we think that our appearance does not really matter to those we encounter and serve each day at our place of employment. According to Walt, it does.
Having a dress code and standard makes a big difference. Just think how you view those you come in contact with in the business world.
Would you want to be served a meal in a restaurant by someone who was dirty and unkempt or a medical person who’s clothing was dirty or wrinkled?
As much as we would like to think that our customers will accept us for who we are, they will make judgments of us on our appearance. Walt knew this and made sure, and still makes sure, that each employee on the Disney properties looks “Neat & Ready” for work each day.
You will not find one employee with a wrinkled uniform or hair that is out-of-place. Our appearance does make a difference on how people view us personally and view our business.
It is a good practice to stand in front of a mirror each day before leaving for work and ask yourself “would I like to be served by someone who looks like me today?”
I think that Walt had the right idea when it came to wanting the best of his employees attitudes, actions and appearance. What do you think?
10/20/14
Practical Practice Management A Division of Top Practices 
This is an interesting topic Tina. Of course we all want to be greeted by someone clean as that says something about their hygiene, but neat and tidy seems to be more about the illusion of competence. Of course we can argue that a neat and tidy appearance shows a neat and tidy mind. It may even show others that we have a particular level of attention to detail, conscientiousness etc. But how much of that is social programming and how much of that should we buy into? I’m not one for suits and ties and have found on occasion that people have been more interested in my clothes than in my ability to solve their problem. Having said that, we are a social species and without some level of conformity we risk being ostracised. Food for thought. 🙂
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Hi Stu, I appreciate your input. I do not think it is about the suit and tie. It is about overall appearance, “neat and ready.” We are humans and we do make judgments whether we like it or not on appearance. Think of a hotel that you are staying in, would you want the sink and shower to have hair of the previous occupants? The same applies to our places of employment. Not all will agree with this concept, but I think when it comes right down to it, most people will. A good look in the mirror before going to work is a good thing. 🙂
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