What's the first thought that went thought your mind? Is Mr. Smith a car salesman, attorney, politician, a salesman of any type, doctor...?

Stereotypes exist in many things, professions are but one and far less offensive than many. But they exist. And like all stereotypes, they're wrongly applied to all who share the likeness.

If I showed you a picture of a man in his 40s, smiling widely, wearing a poorly tailored plaid jacket, short tie, white shoes, polyester pants, with greased hair...odds are you'd guess his profession was sales. If he were to take off his jacket and were found to be wearing a short sleeve shirt and a pocket protector, likely we would now think he were in an accounting field or some type of technician.

Stereotypes built on appearance aren't the only ones that exist in business. Titles, grades, income level, etc. also wrongly label people and stereotype their worth to an organization:

• There's no way a secretary could come up with a great idea.
• Customer service doesn't know a thing about sales.
• What does Engineering know about product requirements?
• Marketing is the only department that can design a logo and tag-line.
• He must know what he's talking about, he make the big money.

We all need to stop looking at people for what they appear or are labeled. Their worth is greater than that. Find the talent in your organization and free it to raise your business to the next level. Inspire people to give ideas and reward them when a great one is taken.

Food for thought.

BTW...What do you think is the profession of Mr. Smith? I hope your wallet is in your front pocket :-)