Family Business Successes – the Effect of Age and Ugly
The Daily Beast says:
“Economists have long recognized what’s been dubbed the “beauty premium”—the idea that pretty people, whatever their aspirations, tend to do better in, well, almost everything. Handsome men earn, on average, 5 percent more than their less-attractive counterparts (good-looking women earn 4 percent more); pretty people get more attention from teachers, bosses, and mentors; even babies stare longer at good-looking faces (and we stare longer at good-looking babies).
Over his career, a good-looking man will make some $250,000 more than his least-attractive counterpart, according to economist Daniel Hamermesh.”
Selecting for youth and beauty may be an evolutionary imperative. For eons we have been attracted to partners for procreation – partners that will give an edge to our offspring. Attractiveness means you have more success with others, youth means strength and quickness to gather and hunt. As humans, perhaps we cannot help ourselves, but still, sometimes it does seem unfair!
What does this mean for your business?
Although many consider this beauty and age bias to be discriminatory, studies have shown, and common sense agrees, that youthful good looking people have an edge in business. A good looking sales person might, for instance, sell more and thus bring in more money for the company.
A good looking leader will have more success getting others to follow.
Dario Maestripieri, a professor of comparative human development, evolutionary biology, and neurobiology at the University of Chicago believes that beautiful people tend to bring in more money for their companies, and are therefore seen as more valuable employees and harder workers.
They have an edge, just as someone with tech savvy or extra smarts does.
Although you shouldn’t discriminate based on age or beauty, you can and should hire the most effective people for your business.
What does this mean for you?
Keeping a youthful and attractive appearance is more than just vanity. It can help your business and/or your job prospects.
Aging gracefully may not be the best option for you if you are still competing with others in your industry or if you are vying for a job position.
So, if you have the money and the time, you may want to consider things such as keeping your body in shape, avoiding mid life weight gain and keeping your hair from showing the gray.
Staying youthful looking and attractive in our youth and beauty oriented society can also help you maintain a positive attitude about yourself. I think maintaining a positive attitude helps you actually stay healthy.
What’s your take on the importance of keeping up appearances? Has appearance visibly affected your business or your career?
Resources:
- Good-Looking People Earn $230,000 More Over The Course Of A Lifetime
- Your appearance, good or bad, can affect size of your paycheck
- Good Reasons Why Beautiful People Have Higher Salaries
