Should A Project Manager Wear A Suit?

bas says : I just had a funny experience this week... will not elaborate too much about it, but as I have a tendency to show up in just a shirt and pants (nice looking :p) I found myself sitting a room full of people with suits and ties. Do you think a project manager should wear one?

salcorp: It depends a lot on the situation.

ever saw how Microsoft PMs go to meetings? Full suit when they are selling and t-shirt and shorts when they are buying.

Hmm, to suit or not to suit?

I think the answer lies in the dual meaning of the word suit. As a noun it is a "set of clothing", as a verb it is to "adapt", "meet requirements".

One of the most important aspects of a project manager's role is communications. You know yourself that if you are speaking with your 6 year old's friends you speak appropriately and may even get down on your haunches to be at their eye level to help the communications. So it goes for the project people.

If you know that you will be meeting with influential project people...."meet requirements". Afterall, it will not hurt you personally, although I find a tie choking, but it will remove the barriers to communication that might be subconsciously put up when you walk into the room in your "casuals". If nothing else you will feel more comfortable and be able to concentrate on the real topic at hand.

Regards,

Ross

wear a suit when needed. If you have a meeting with the chief's, then obviously yes.

more often than not, it's not that practical (due to the weather in england not being at it's best most of the year) so i'll be wearing a waterproof jacket.