Leadership Lessons from Bad Haircuts

I think we can all agree that haircuts are deeply personal. They reflect our identities, our culture, our aspirations, and sometimes even echo life’s deeper regrets.

As a thought leader on leadership and workforce issues and an employment and discrimination lawyer, I’ve delved deep into the nuances of identity and appearance but the roots (pun intended) of these lessons can be traced back to my father’s hands, a pair of scissors and a dimly lit garage.

My father was eventually a hairdresser by trade but his tale, his legacy is an epic journey marked by resilience and unwavering ambition. From his early days repairing washing machines in Cyprus to working in a chicken factory upon his UK arrival, from waiting tables to owning a fish and chip shop where my family once resided, from cutting hair in a South London estate to realising his long-term aim of owning a salon in the financial district of the City of London. His journey was a testament to tenacity and each occupation, each venture, a stepping-stone for our family’s future.

My sisters and I were delighted by my father’s transition into hairdressing; this was our chance to enjoy top-tier, salon-grade hair styles fit for the runway. Instead, we were subjected to two things: “adventurous” haircuts in a poorly lit garage, whether it was an 80s mullet or a questionable short-back-and-sides and; perhaps most importantly, metaphorical lessons on leadership from each of those haircuts. Three things made these hair endeavours particularly memorable:

1. Dad’s professional prowess: Knowing my father’s skill as a hairdresser, those garage haircuts felt akin to a Michelin-star chef serving instant noodles at a family dinner.
2. The iconic mullet: The audacious mullet which was sported by my sisters and I at one time or another, became a poignant marker of our upbringing; whilst mullets were all the rage in the 80s, they were generally worn by the era’s tennis and pop stars, most of whom were men.
3. The long hair dream: All I ever wanted was long, flowing hair, waving in the wind as I walked. The mullet, the short-back-and-sides, were products of the belief that subjecting my thin hair to a boyish cut would, in the future, magically transform it into Rapunzel-esque strands.

“Why these haircuts?” remains the echoing question but the answer is profound in its simplicity. Our parents were tirelessly devoted to more pressing matters: putting food on the table, ensuring our wellbeing and most critically, nurturing our strength of character. Their day-to-day was consumed by love, sacrifice and a vision for our futures, leaving little room to fret over our fleeting desires to fit in.

Popularity? Fitting in? These concerns paled in comparison to the life lessons they wanted to impart. In their eyes, good or bad haircuts were superficial; what mattered was our ability to adapt, to find resilience in adversity and to move forward undeterred.

The fond, albeit comical memories of my hair journey have underscored significant leadership lessons for me. My father’s commitment to our growth and his unconventional approach to haircuts highlight some of the fundamental principles of leadership.

1. Focus on the long-term: Much like my parents’ resolute belief in the transformative potential of those adventurous haircuts, true leaders remain focused on long-term goals. They look beyond immediate applause or criticisms, maintaining a steadfast commitment to an overarching vision.
2. Dare to be different: Leadership is not about blending into the crowd. It’s about setting new standards and occasionally rocking that metaphorical mullet with unapologetic confidence. In a world of conformity, it’s the unexpected twist that captures attention.
3. Embrace resilience and adaptability: In leadership, as in hair growth, the journey is often marked by periods of discomfort and waiting but it’s this very journey, with its setbacks and trials, that ultimately shapes resilient, formidable leaders. Today’s challenges are merely the crucibles that mould the success stories of tomorrow.

My hair journey wasn’t just about lengths, styles and trends or merely a childhood rite of passage; it embodied significant leadership lessons around resilience, individuality and character. True leadership transcends appearance; it’s deeply rooted in values, vision and vigour. Those old hairstyles served as markers of growth and experiences and formed the roots of key leadership principles. We must wear our journeys, however unique or unconventional, as a badge of honour.

ABOUT NIKI AVRAAM

A compelling speaker, Niki leads the charge in workforce evolution. Using her extensive background in employment law and legal entrepreneurship, Niki empowers organisations and individuals to exceed their potential and stay ahead, in the future of work. Niki demonstrates how instilling a culture of ownership and adaptability, leads us to unprecedented success.

https://nikiavraam.com/