Style Only Wins Over Substance in the Short Term

Years ago, I climbed to the top position when it came to training hair stylists for the large hair product houses in South Africa: Redken, Wella, and Goldwell. Part of the reason was that I was a distinct anomaly in the beauty industry. While most of the speakers, trainers, and other “leaders” in the field were tall, good looking, party-animal  “hunks” with deep voices and great hair, I was the opposite: short, balding, high-pitched nasal voice, pig ugly, and heterosexual. The other part was that I get real   results. No good having an ugly little man running around on stages upsetting people if he doesn’t actually deliver the goods – that is unforgivable.

Yup, style eventually loses to substance, just like that Affirmative Action clown who got into the White House with his teleprompters, false promises, outright lies, and hidden agendas – America may never recover from the damage he’s done, but of course it wasn’t his fault. The problem is the loss of time and money until the poser is found out. So let’s get down and dirty about defining Style as opposed to Substance.

Style in this case is the back-slapping, big mouthed, hand-crunching, guffawing chameleon who agrees with every bit of B.S. you spout, even though deep down you know that you know not whereof you speak. Style  is the politically correct, flirtatious fob who makes you feel like the king (or queen) of the world while he steals the very milk out of your tea and makes you wish, soon, that he was eaten alive, and slowly, but hungry, sabre-toothed maggots. But by that time he is wowing people in another town, telling them he’s a world class speaker, somehow never mentioning real people in the vast listings of his imaginary Fortune 500 clients. Style is often a poor mask for treachery.

Let’s waste no more time on those parasites and peacocks. Instead, let’s talk about people of substance – the producers. Those, after all, are the ones we need to connect with if we are to prosper. There are a few characteristics that are common to them. Think Churchill, Patton, Ayn Rand, Ian Smith, Robert Kyosaki, Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh, Mitt Romney, Dan Kennedy. You may not like them, and they truly don’t care. They’re not looking for friends; they’re looking for results. They will tell you the truth and live their lives in spite of your opinion. They don’t seek your permission or agreement, and they say what they want to say because the truth, to them, is more important than making you feel good.

They live congruent, real lives. And for that reason, they feel compelled to produce what they promise. They are true to themselves and their own values. People often tell me, “You don’t have to dress up.” Well, I’m not dressing for YOU, baby – I’m dressing for ME. It’s MY standard, not yours. You can dress like a hippy tramp if you like, and stink of stale tobacco into the bargain – that’s your problem. I don’t need your sanction, your money, or your vote.

Rhodesian Flag

Or they whine, “You don’t have to be there exactly on time – most of the people will arrive fashionably late…” Well, that’s what I expect. 2% of people (and that’s generous) are winners. They will arrive on time. Those interested in the latest “fashion” will be late – of course they will. They will be pierced and tattooed, too – that’s their right. I’m a businessman, and I behave like one. Real businessmen don’t have ponytails, and they arrive well prepared and on time, locked and loaded, and ready for action.

If you want results, find someone of substance to help you – and have the guts to see through the style. As Ian Smith, the last civilized leader of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) said, “Freedom. And Justice. If you have those two, it covers everything. You must stick to those principles and have the courage of your convictions.”