Look, you can be the richest guy in the world (hi, Jeff) but Style will always be – or should be – your biggest hard asset. And the great thing is — style doesn’t have to cost a penny. Personal style goes well beyond your cufflinks, suits, and hairstyle (that is, if you have hair). It’s about who you are as a person. And no money in the world can buy you the following. It’s just practice and know-how.
Be gracious.
My cheapest yet most priceless advice is: Just be nice. Yes, that’s coming from me. I might be combative and feisty most of the time, but I think I know when to be gracious. Especially when I’m trying to woo someone in business or in life. You can push your point… up to a point. And that’s often how good businesspeople operate (Type A’s we’re called). But understanding when to go from shark to dolphin is very important.
Be honest.
As you know, you really haven’t heard a dishonest word from my mouth. Honesty is a style. And it doesn’t cost a penny. It’s really a manner of carrying yourself and it’s a great persona to have. I don’t think there’s a better compliment than “He’s honest.”
Talk but listen.
Yes, I talk a lot. But the sign of a good investor — in both companies and people, I might add — is listening. Being a talkative boor all the time isn’t cool. My colleagues on Shark Tank are certainly great, powerful, intelligent talkers. Like me, they can command a room, and if they feel like it, not let anyone else talk. BUT they would make exactly ZERO deals if they did that. Listening is an art and a skill. And like these other things, it doesn’t cost anything. However it does take practice, practice, practice.
Be a classic.
You know those old black and white films with folks like Cary Grant and Marlene Dietrich? They’re classic for a reason. When you’re out and about or even in the good company of friends and family, think about what Cary and Marlene would do. How they would act. Being ‘classy’ extends to how you conduct yourself physically. How you sit, how you present yourself to someone when she or he is talking. Opening doors. Smiling.
Stay neat.
Even if you’re going out in a suit you’ve worn a few times already you can up your style simply by making sure you look neat, sharp, put together. When you step out of your bathroom & bedroom in the morning, just make sure you look neat and you’ll be on your way to being classy (see above). Or any time you walk into a room, meeting, meal, or situation, make sure you have yourself together.
Enjoy the moment.
Even if you’re going out in a suit you’ve worn a few times already you can up your style simply by making sure you look neat, sharp, put together. When you step out of your bathroom & bedroom in the morning, just make sure you look neat and you’ll be on your way to being classy (see above). Or any time you walk into a room, meeting, meal, or situation, make sure you have yourself together.