logo
Looks Matter In Leadership. Here's Why That's Not Superficial

Looks Matter In Leadership. Here's Why That's Not Superficial

Forbes22-05-2025
Life offers a series of uncomfortable truths, often rooted not in surface-level perception but in our deeper human wiring. One of those truths is that appearance still matters. Whether we're talking about economic, social, or political advantage, there's long been an undercurrent of belief in what's known as "pretty privilege" or beauty bias. In 2025, discussing appearance and leadership in the same breath may seem outdated or offensive.
We live in a time of heightened sensitivity, swift backlash, and disagreement often met with protest or cancellation. But here's the truth: how you show up still matters, and the data backs it up. A workplace survey conducted by StandOut CV in 2025 revealed a compelling trend: individuals who rated themselves as extremely attractive earned, on average, $19,945 more than those who rated themselves as unattractive. Even more telling, 71% of CEOs rated themselves a 9 or 10 out of 10, more than double the general population.
Is this just about good-looking people getting a free pass? Or is appearance a proxy for something deeper: discipline, presence, intentionality, and commitment to excellence?
Let's set aside the small minority of individuals born with standout genetics. For everyone else, appearance, especially in leadership, is less about vanity and more about values. Your physical presence can be visible proof of traits like discipline, attention to detail, a willingness to delay gratification, and high personal standards. These qualities, when cultivated consistently, naturally elevate your presence and aura.
Studies have consistently shown links between physical appearance and professional outcomes. For instance, research in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that someone six feet tall earns nearly $166,000 more over a 30-year career than someone 5'5", even when controlling for gender, age, and weight. Each additional inch of height was associated with $789 more per year.
But "pretty privilege" isn't always about being born with ideal features. A study published in Personnel Psychology had managers evaluate 300 mock elevator pitches. The more attractive individuals were deemed more hirable, but not simply because of their looks. What made the difference was nonverbal presence. Interestingly, even those rated lower on attractiveness gained similar influence by improving their posture, proving that executive presence isn't just for those rated high in innate attractiveness.
In the StandOut CV study, 83.4% of respondents said people who invest in their appearance are perceived as more competent or professional. In today's world, where many standards have relaxed, appearance has become shorthand for consistency and care. Visual signals cut through noise and suggest reliability in a world of increasingly scarce attention.
A leader's best investment is in themselves—physically, mentally, and professionally. Your body, mind, and presence aren't secondary assets in your leadership portfolio; they're primary assets. And yet, this comes with pressure. According to the StandOut CV report:
But creating your own "beauty bias" isn't about following transient trends or trying to be someone else. It's about being intentional. It's about aligning your outer presentation with your inner standards so that what people see matches who you are. People trust those who show up with care because it suggests they'll likely bring the same care to their work. If you're looking to elevate your leadership and overall presence, start creating your own bias with the habits below:
Workplace bias is real, especially when people are penalized for their race, hair texture, or failure to fit narrow norms. At the same time, 55.7% of respondents said they've downplayed their looks just to be taken seriously. Both extremes are problems. The key is intentionality, not conformity, and certainly not performative perfection. Appearance isn't everything, but it is something. It sends a message before you say a word.
Self-care, fitness, and presentation aren't vanity metrics. These tools are strategic levers for elevating your leadership. In a competitive world where margins are razor thin, intangibles—like presence—can create meaningful separation. It may be an uncomfortable truth for some, but it remains true: appearance matters in leadership. Far from being superficial, it reflects how you think, live, and lead.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to go from quiet to commanding
How to go from quiet to commanding

Fast Company

time2 hours ago

  • Fast Company

How to go from quiet to commanding

BY Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 4:48 You're smart, capable, and consistently deliver results. But in meetings, your voice disappears. As an executive coach with over two decades of experience, I've helped hundreds of introverted leaders find their voice, speak up, and lead with impact. If you're a quiet professional, especially an introvert, you know this feeling well. You're respected, but not remembered. You stay heads-down, hoping the work will speak for itself. But it doesn't. The truth? Many high-performing introverts struggle to be heard, not because they lack confidence or ability, but because they rely on their work to speak for itself. In today's fast-paced, visibility-driven workplace, that's no longer enough. If you want to be seen as a leader, you have to be heard. I recently coached a senior scientist at a global biotech company. Exceptionally skilled and deeply respected, she quietly disappeared in high-stakes meetings, and it was costing her. Colleagues overlooked her contributions. Leaders began excluding her from key decisions, and she was repeatedly passed over for leadership roles, not because of her ability, but because she wasn't seen as a strong presence in the room. Her insights were compelling, but she hesitated to assert them. Some leaders began to misread her silence as a lack of confidence or conviction. What she experienced is common, especially for introverts. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that introverts are often overlooked for leadership roles, not because they're less effective, but because they don't actively show up. When they stay under the radar, they risk being underestimated, no matter how valuable their contributions. Great work isn't enough if no one sees it. You have to make it visible. And that means speaking up. You don't have to be the loudest voice in the room. But you do need to be the one people remember when the meeting ends. That's what shifts perception. That's what gets you noticed. The good news? You don't have to change who you are. You just need a strategy to speak up with clarity, confidence, and impact. Here's how. 5 WAYS TO SPEAK UP WITHOUT BEING LOUD These five strategies are designed specifically for quiet professionals like you, who want to be heard by adding value, not volume. 1. PREPARE WITH PURPOSE As an introvert, preparation is your superpower, but don't overdo it. When preparing for meetings, you don't need to know everything; you just need to know what matters. Don't just bring data; bring perspective. Before the meeting ask yourself: What's the one thing I want leadership to know? What decision are they facing, and how can I help move it forward? advertisement 2. CONNECT TO OUTCOMES Subject-matter experts, and many introverts, tend to explain their full thought process, but that can lose your audience. Instead, lead with the impact. Link your input directly to results. Leaders pay attention when they hear how an idea drives business value, solves a problem, or moves the team forward. 3. DROP SELF-MINIMIZING LANGUAGE Introverts often over-qualify their ideas to sound polite or careful, but it comes across as uncertainty. Skip phrases like 'This might be silly . . .' or 'I'm not sure this makes sense . . .' and say, 'Here's what I see' or 'One idea we haven't explored yet.' If you catch yourself starting with a qualifier, pause. Say it silently, then switch to a more confident version before speaking. 4. START WITH WHAT MATTERS Skip the long preambles. Don't ease in with, 'Let me walk you through my thinking . . .' Go straight to the value: 'Here's a risk I see' or 'One angle that haven't been mentioned . . .' The faster you get to your point, the more likely people are to listen and remember it. 5. FOLLOW UP TO EXTEND YOUR INFLUENCE Many introverts find that writing helps them organize and express their thoughts clearly, so use that strength. After the meeting, send a follow-up email summarizing key points or outlining next steps. This reinforces your ideas, keeps your contributions visible, and positions you as someone who drives clarity and action. YOU'RE IN THE ROOM FOR A REASON If you've ever stared at a table of senior leaders, or a Zoom screen full of them, and thought, What am I doing here? you're not alone. But you weren't invited as a favor. You're here because you add value. The question is: Are you making it clear why your voice matters? The next time you're in a meeting, don't disappear. Show up. Speak up. Let your quiet wisdom be heard. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is tonight, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.

The Hidden Victims of New York's Worsening Housing Crisis
The Hidden Victims of New York's Worsening Housing Crisis

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

The Hidden Victims of New York's Worsening Housing Crisis

At night, the Brooklyn apartment where Kimberly Diaz, 25, was trying to raise her two small daughters was a minefield of clothing, toys and fitfully sleeping bodies. In one bedroom were her twin brother, youngest brother and godfather, while her brother-in-law and his sons slept in the second bedroom. She shared a twin bed in another room with her two girls, and her sister and her five children piled onto air mattresses at their feet. That meant nine people, ranging from 2 to 26 years old, lived in her bedroom alone. 'It was chaos,' Ms. Diaz said from the Brooklyn homeless shelter she fled to three months ago with her daughters, ages 2 and 3. 'I had a lot of anxiety; I had panic attacks. We were a can of sardines.' 'My babies need more than just a bed,' she added. 'They need freedom.' Congested streets, packed subway cars, overflowing sidewalks — New York is a city of crowds. But in its poorest corners, home can be a similar crush: Apartments in New York City are among the country's most overcrowded — frequently defined as having more than two people per bedroom. Eight percent of households citywide are overcrowded, but the figure balloons to 27 percent for families who have at least one child and less than $100,000 in income, according to data from the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development. This is far from the trope of, say, a gaggle of 20-something interns camping out in a West Village studio for a summer. The reality of overcrowding in New York City for most is stark: Nearly 40 percent of single adults and 20 percent of families with children cited overcrowding, discord or unlivable conditions as the reason they sought refuge in city-run shelters, according to a study by the Coalition for the Homeless. And these numbers stand to grow, as the vacancy rate in the city plummets toward an all-time low, and the cost of living races ever upward. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Oregon Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 4 results for July 25
Oregon Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 4 results for July 25

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Oregon Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 4 results for July 25

The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here's a look at July 25, 2025, results for each game: Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 25 drawing 14-21-25-49-52, Mega Ball: 07 Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 25 drawing 1PM: 5-7-4-9 4PM: 6-8-4-0 7PM: 7-8-9-1 10PM: 7-9-8-5 Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held? Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Where can you buy lottery tickets? Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 4 results for July 25 Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store