'Lose the Locks for a Promotion?' Readers' Comments

I know that you may believe that your locks are a symbol of your strength and culture, but you may be the only person who thinks that.

Let me just ask you this 1 questions and lets look at it from both sides. Unless you see white men with long hair, then there is a chance that management would not want a black person with long hair. I am old school and I would not hire a person with long hair, black or white.

If you need this job, ask straight out if they would like the locks cut. They may not care and like the look, as it shows diversity on the company's part.

I am a black male that have locks living in FL. I have struggled over cutting mine to attain employment. They are neat and I pull them back when interviewing. My question is, "How do whites really view them when you are seeking employment"? I'm in a profession (urban planning)that has very little black representation at all. I have seen my white counterparts that went to grad school with me flurish in the profession, I've been of school for 5 years now and continue to struggle in a white dominanted profession. Can we really say that "hair" does not make a difference? I would like to see what non-blacks have to say.

They are an extension of you...they are a reflection of you. We need to stop trying to mold ourselves to fit the status quo and really learn how to love who we are. I have had my locks for 8 years and could not imagine myself without them. The way we style our hair will not hinder advancement, but the attitudes, the mind set, energy level and our ambition will. True talk. Keep them, brother.

Keep control of you and your life. Utilize your game. If you want the position and you think the coporate look will help you get it. Give it to them. When you get the position, grow them back.

If you are most comfortable with your locs, I say keep them. There is nothing worse than working in an environment where you feel stifled and cannot express who you really are.

You are who you are, born this way, given the gifts God gave you. I keep my hair they way I was born, whoever has the audacity to question that, questions God. At work I am a professional and though my hair is twisted, it does not come into play as to how I perform. I truly believe that anyone who has a problem with your locs is going to have a problem with you because you are an African American anyway. You have taken your hair and groomed it the way you choose. It is time that people realize that there are physical differences that don't need to be changed to assimilate into another race. People have to accept you for who you are and if they can't get past that then maybe that company is not the best place for you to be. Go into the interview just the way you are, they'll just have to respect that. FYI for the individual that made a comment about nails. Stating that African American women have long, polished nails and spiked hair is a stereotypical comment. Don't put me in a box, I don't live in one. You need to get out more.

To BJ BJ:

A comment like yours is harmful as it does nothing to help people who are different understand the importance of accepting other people's culture. Clearly, when you had locs, you saw it as a mere fashion statement...a trend. For that, I feel sorry for you. Many others grow their locs because it is important to them to accept their hair in it's natural state. Loc'ing shows an acceptance and love of self. It is also healthier for black hair (and general health) than chemical straightening. Until we, as black people, are comfortable with ourselves the way God made us and unafraid to show our natural selves, people who are different from us will have no reason to accept or try to understand who we naturally are.

Locs are NOT a fashion statement!

I am African American in the Human Resources Management industry and LOOKS does matter greatly, and you must look the part to play the part. I am very AA (dark skinned women) and I keep my look very corporate, I do not wear colorful fingernails, my hair is very conservative (no spikes), and there are not to many days during my work week that I am not placed with a compliment on how nice I look. I loved locs at one point but that look is pretty dated guys, so unless there is a ethinic reason, then I suggest that you lose them. It is your education, skills, and persona that gets us far in this corporate world and any posibility of somethings as small a cutting locs should be a "no brainer" in order to enhance career let it be done. Your internnal being is who you are not hair that has locs. Play your part!

I too am a mid-manager "lock wearing" professional. I have empathy for you as I too feel as if the hair styles that I wear may impede my career growth at my current employer. Even though the locks are long, the styles are professional and well groomed. A few co-workers have expressed their concerns about my hair and growth opportunity because of to which I respond that my KSA's is what helps me to get promoted and to succeed in this profession. I say that if you were asked to apply and invited to interview, wear your Locks proudly and knock their socks off. To use India Arie's words, "I am not my Hair..."

I recently cut my locs. After returning from a trip out of the US, I decided that they felt too much like a gimmick, and that I was unable to be myself. With that said, I say, keep them! If you like the style, and have truly made them a part of you, then rock them with confidence. No one is knocking moving up, but with confidence you are sure to have this interview "loc'd up" tight!

I can definitely relate to you as I too am an African American female with locs that also a lesbian, and I have grappled with this for a long time and finally came to believe that life is about evolution, innovation, and risk taking. I too am in middle management and will be in senior management hopefully in the next few years and don't plan to change for anyone or anything.

Success I believe living your truth and not someone else's. Keep on keeping on sista!

I don't think that you should change a thing. Your Superiors have already done their research on you and if they are innovative thinkers, they know that you should not judge a book by its cover. As a nation, we are getting closer to Dr.King's Dream. It is obvious that your bosses are ready to judge you on the content of your character. Superior performance,intellectual ability and good interpersonal skills can transcend race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other social obstacles. Corporate America has realized that they now operate in a global economy; hence they will interract with a wide cross section of humanity of differing appearance. Your appearance is fast becoming main stream. Having dreads has taken on a "cultural revolution" connotation.

I am an African American (hetro sexual) who was faced with a similar decision. Three years ago i was working as a contractor for a large goverment agency. During my first year there I was once passed over for a supervisor position that I was over qualified for to caucasian counterpart who did not have the same amount of experience. I was diassapointed. I prayed about it for a long time. I deccided that instead of brooding over the decision I would work harder and be even more personable to upper management. I would be more outspopken in meetings and show my extensive knowledge and experience. This would give them the opportunity to get to know me a little better. In doing this part of my makeover was to cut my locs (4 years long). Exactly 1 year later I was offered an Assistant Director position with the Goverment Agency. God has a plan. In affect I was put in charge of all the contractors i once worked with. Including the one who got promotion over me. God is good! Although i was never directly asked to cut my hair. I honestly believe that along with steadfast prayer it made a difference. I don't regret it at all. I often look back at the changes I made to myself. I feel I made the right decision. I have now been in my current position(Assistant Director) for the past 2 years.

In short my brother, To get something you have never had before , sometimes you got to do something you have never done before. I understand that others say you don't have to compromise yourself for this interview. Changing your appearance does not change who you are inside. The people who think that your hair does not matter are those who see the world wearing rose colored glasses, and is not indicative of the world we live in. I do not regret my desicion to cut my hair. Whether we may acknowledge it or not there is an unspoken rule for African americans (MALES) with locs. You will only be allowed to get so far. There is an unspoken undertanding that to get into upper management your gonna need to make some changes. I am not saying you have to break. There WILL come a time when you will have to bend. At the end of the day your going to have to make the decision. Please let us know how the interview went.

Yes, I agree with the other commentaries. You should present yourself as is. They would not have invited you if they believed you to be the wrong image to represent them. Being out is always a challenge. But, again they know that already and accept the entire package. However, I would not exploit the gay issue too much. Saying it once is enough.

I'm Vice President of Sales and Business Development for a software company and I'm African American. If the people interviewing you are aware of your hair, and have invited you to interview, relax! Go for it. Keep your hair. My experience is however, as you moves into more senior level positions, personalities can be more conservative. In this case I think you might be OK. Good luck!

I think that your "individuality" was already defined when they asked you to interview for the new role. I too have locks in a "corporate" setting and support one of the global leaders (SVP) of the company. Being stationed at the Corporate headquarters of a worldwide company sends a precedent to others that you don't have to lose your identity, especially when you have the ability to perform at the highest of standards.

Signed: A sister with locks.

I am a 43 year old "African American Black Negro Colored Person of Color" heterosexual with locs as well. Whoever invited you to interview for the senior executive position knows your reputation, your character, your performance, and the hair on your head. Obviously, you are already accepted, to a degree, because you were "invited". Had this been a party, then the invitation would have formally included a "dress code" that can change when you walk in and out the door. But the invitation is potentially much more permanent than just a social event. And your hair is something that provides a degree of identity to who you are. The locs should stay (smile)unless the weight of your hair requires trimming.

I agree. They have evidently researched you already - don't change! If you were going out looking for a new opportunity you would need to research the new company's culture and then determine if you wanted to change to "fit". Be honest and be true to yourself! Good luck.

I completely agree with Luke as well. Recently we brought someone to R&D from the Field who cut his hair before starting. He was brought in for his forward thinking, ability to connect with consumers, and his strong individuality- all of which we are trying to infuse in the rest of the company. We were heartbroken to see that he felt the pressure to change himself to fit in when we were the ones trying to transform ourselves to be the real deal that he conveyed. Gone are the days in successful companies that you look at the CEO to see how you must dress. Smart CEOs understand they want to surround themselves with those who are different- not the identical twin of him/herself.

I too agree with Luke. The individuals who asked you to interview knew exactly who you are and what you look like. Changing for the interview could conceivably hurt you. You are who you are and, whether your company likes it or not. They seem to respect your talent and that seems to be good enough for them. Good luck with the opportunity.

I totally agree with Luke. If you were the one who initiated the interest to pursue the opportunity it could be a different scenario. Also, mentoring individuals who have a different background from yours is a best practice. The mentee learns and you learn too. A mutually beneficial relationship.