Dressing to Inspire Confidence: My Kevin MD Podcast Conversation

An earlier version of this post appeared on this website in March, 2024

On my podcast appearance with Kevin Pho, M.D., we explored a topic that often gets overlooked in medicine: how the way you dress shapes the way that you’re perceived. Although we’d all like to believe that it’s only our skills and knowledge that matter, the reality is that patients, colleagues, and staff naturally form impressions based on what you wear and how you wear it.

Think about it: are your administrators walking around in scrubs? Probably not. They understand that clothing and presentation are part of the unspoken language of leadership and professionalism. You don’t have to like it, but it’s important to understand that there is power in dressing the part. My medical school dean emphasized this lesson back in the 1980s, and while it’s not always taught now, it’s just as relevant today. Like your administrators, he knew that the way you present yourself can convey competence and confidence.

It’s not just outdated speculation. Research suggests that physicians, especially women, are often judged by their appearance as much as their expertise. While this reality can feel frustrating, it also highlights an opportunity: by being intentional about how you dress, you can signal approachability, credibility, and professionalism before you even say a word.

At the same time, professionalism doesn’t have to come at the expense of your comfort or authenticity. In fact, when you feel at ease in what you wear, that confidence translates into how you show up in the exam room, with your team, and in every professional interaction.

In my article on the KevinMD website and in the podcast episode, I offer practical, low-stress ways to dress in a way that aligns with who you are, and how you want to show up. And I share the story of the dapper Dean of Students at Vanderbilt whose exhortations on the importance of attire inspired this article.

Curious to learn more? You can listen to my full conversation with Dr. Kevin Pho below, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.