Beautiful many leather shoes for men on wooden background – Vintage light Filter processing
Let’s talk about shoes.
Now I know, you may not expect businessmen and professionals to talk about shoes. Surely, they have more important things to think about. Nevertheless, the shoes you wear contribute to an important aspect of any business: your professionalism.
I believe very firmly that what you wear affects how you act. Therefore, if you’re interacting with someone as a businessperson, you want to be able to look and act the part. This is why I dress the way I do when I get ready for work in the morning: a blue Oxford, khakis and a belt, and nice shoes. Then, regardless of where I go or what exactly it is I’m doing during the day, I can look and feel the part of a business professional.
“But Dustin, I thought you were going to talk about shoes!” Right you are. Of course, the shoes you choose will be determined to an extent by your geography. My brother, who has done appraising in Hawaii, wore flip-flops because people look at you funny if you wear anything else down there. In Idaho, where I live, however, flip-flops don’t quite cut it. Instead, I wear Keens.
These shoes were suggested to me by a colleague of mine a while back. I didn’t think much of it, but one day I was out looking for a pair of boots and saw that the store I was at had Keens on clearance. I looked at them and was intrigued, so I bought a pair. I was captivated! These shoes look professional, and are so comfortable to wear – almost like the perfect cross between your favorite pair of sneakers and a dress shoe. They have a nice thick sole to protect your feet from whatever you may step on, and are super easy to take on and off. I find that, for me, they’re the perfect balance of professionalism, comfort, and ease of use.
So, for the men out there, next time you’re looking for a new pair of shoes for work, consider getting a pair of Keens. They might just be the last shoe you’ll ever need.
For more information on this subject, please download and listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:
8 Comments on “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and … Shoes?”
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I’ll take a look at Keens but I have been
Wearing Sketchers for a couple of years. It is a very comfortable and durable shoe.
I have a pair of low cut grey colored Oboz. Very much like Keens. They have a thick sole, lace up easy, are very comfortable and are waterproof. Good in sloppy weather or dry conditions. They look decent with slacks too when I am out appraising and mixing with the public.
For Women – I like heels, but don’t want to be tottering around in 4″ stilettos while avoiding doggy doodoo on the back lawn or skating across an icy patio. I like Clarks – leather uppers and solid 2″ rubber heels. Arch support and slip on/off. They look great and professional with slacks.
I think more important than the shoe for looking professional, for men, is a shirt with a collar.
I HAVE NEUROPATHY SO I NEED A REAL CUSHIONED SHOE. I HAVE WORN SKETCHERS MAX CUSHION FOR SVERAL YEARS. HARD SHOES ARE NOT GOOD FOR HILLSIDES THAT SLOPE I WEAR MY ARMY BOOTS FROM VIET NAM WHEN IT RAINS OR I GO WHERE IT IS REAL COLD. DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER IF POSSIBLE YOU SHOULD WEAR A SHIRT WITH A COLLAR. WHEN I STARTED I WORED A COAT & TIE BUT THAT WAS 1976. ON REALLY COLD DAYS SWEAT SHIRT & JEANS
I have appraised in Hawaii for over 35 years and no respectable appraiser here wears slippers (flip flops). You always take off shoes indoors but slippers give off the wrong impression.
Most shoes are dressy enough if they are not athetic shoes. I need two things in shoes. First flat soles so it’s easy to wipe off dirt when entering the house. Second easy to slip on and off. I do many houses where owners have a no shoes policy.