December 15, 2010
Are beards ever a good idea?
This question came to mind when browsing through the Personnel Today Awards photos and seeing the currently-furry-chinned comedian Marcus Brigstocke who presented the awards and has bearded-up for his role in Spamalot.
Brigstocke is playing leader of all men King Arthur no less. And back then, in times of yore when men were men and men wore tights, Guru can imagine having a beard was regarded as a status symbol - the bigger the beard, the bigger the list of followers.
But in the modern world, Guru would just like to ask does a beard ever work in the workplace? Yes it may be a handy place to keep a biro, but what other purpose does it serve? Will a beard really keep you warm at night? Are people with beards regarded as more important? Does a beard convey gravitas? Or rather does it convey gravy stains from one place to another?
Lord Alan Sugar may have a beard, but is he any kind of role model for aspiring managers? Yours Truly thinks not - just have a look at The Apprentice. He also thinks that beardy blokes are clearly not to be trusted - after all, lots of criminal types have sported facial hair to avoid detection - the Taliban, for instance.
And while Afghanistani terrorists seem to gain respect points, Guru thinks that's more to do with forcing women and children to wear "bomb-beards" around their stomachs, which is an altogether different type of statement.
So, do beards go down well in the boardroom? Does the goatee garner respect?
The fact that women don't generally have beards (or at least not in the normal sense of the word), would tend to suggest that beards are not to be trusted. Although, having said that, Guru can see that a woman with a beard would have a certain something extra (ie, a beard).
So as we approach Christmas, Yours Truly thinks we ought to be told. Or at least Santa ought to be told. So if any of you can name one true leader who has led from the front with his chin in the air (all covered in hair), why not email Guru a picture guru@personneltoday.com
This question came to mind when browsing through the Personnel Today Awards photos and seeing the currently-furry-chinned comedian Marcus Brigstocke who presented the awards and has bearded-up for his role in Spamalot.
Brigstocke is playing leader of all men King Arthur no less. And back then, in times of yore when men were men and men wore tights, Guru can imagine having a beard was regarded as a status symbol - the bigger the beard, the bigger the list of followers.
But in the modern world, Guru would just like to ask does a beard ever work in the workplace? Yes it may be a handy place to keep a biro, but what other purpose does it serve? Will a beard really keep you warm at night? Are people with beards regarded as more important? Does a beard convey gravitas? Or rather does it convey gravy stains from one place to another?
Lord Alan Sugar may have a beard, but is he any kind of role model for aspiring managers? Yours Truly thinks not - just have a look at The Apprentice. He also thinks that beardy blokes are clearly not to be trusted - after all, lots of criminal types have sported facial hair to avoid detection - the Taliban, for instance.And while Afghanistani terrorists seem to gain respect points, Guru thinks that's more to do with forcing women and children to wear "bomb-beards" around their stomachs, which is an altogether different type of statement.
So, do beards go down well in the boardroom? Does the goatee garner respect?
The fact that women don't generally have beards (or at least not in the normal sense of the word), would tend to suggest that beards are not to be trusted. Although, having said that, Guru can see that a woman with a beard would have a certain something extra (ie, a beard).
So as we approach Christmas, Yours Truly thinks we ought to be told. Or at least Santa ought to be told. So if any of you can name one true leader who has led from the front with his chin in the air (all covered in hair), why not email Guru a picture guru@personneltoday.com
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