Behind the Boss: A Peek at Company Leaders' Personal Style

BEHIND THE BOSS A PEEK AT COMPANY LEADERS' PERSONAL STYLE CEOS and other company leaders can be a mysterious bunch. When not jet-setting to meetings around the city or around the globe, they're often seen only in fleeting moments: running into office buildings to save unproductive meetings, popping into conference rooms to communicate company changes, and grabbing lunch and market share in one fell swoop. Not to fear: CareerBuilder has managed to get beyond the mystique to find out how company leaders dress, drive, eat – and even part their hair. CASUAL IS THE NEW CEO A majority of those in senior management said they wear business casual attire to the office, and some even noted jeans or shorts as typical workplace wear. Business suit was the least popular choice. 63% 18% 14% Business casual Jeans or shorts Business suit SUBTLE HUES AND DARK BLUES Navy blue, black and brown fared as the most popular colors executives typically wear, while pink and red came in last at 1% or less. NAVY BLUE 36% BLACK 26% BROWN 8% GREY 8% 51% 41% of women in senior leadership positions typically BLACK wear black to work compared to 18% of men. of men in senior leadership positions typically NAVY wear navy to work compared to 21% of women. OFF-ROADING TO THE OFFICE When it comes to driving to work, the big honchos like to drive the big cars. Senior leaders are more likely to drive SUVS than other vehicles to work. SUV 27% Mid-sized sedan 22% Luxury sedan 15% Pickup truck 9% Sports car/convertible 8% Minivan 5% Public transportation 4% Cab 1% Other 10% HAPPY HOUR OR HOMEBODIES? When asked what they drink at happy hours or company parties, nearly one-third of respondents said they don't drink alcoholic beverages at company events. Among those who do partake in the festivities, wine and beer lead as the drink of choice, followed by mixed drinks. 26% 22% 18% 5% 32% Wine Beer Mixed drinks Martini Shots Don't drink at company events 20% said they stay away from company happy hours completely. 25% 31% WINE is the preferred drink among female executives. .while male executives prefer BEER or WINE. LUNCH ON THE RUN When asked about their typical workday lunch habits, most senior leaders reported they brownbag their lunch. 41% 19% 17% 23% Bring lunch from home Eat at a restaurant Grab fast food Normally don't have lunch More than half of WOMEN typically bring their lunch from home compared to 36% of men. MEN were more likely to order fast food – 19% compared to 10% of women. 57% 19% SHOWING THEIR BEST SIDE When asked how they part their hair, three-in-ten senior management leaders reported they part to the right. 31% 27% 9% 7% To the right To the left Down the middle Shaved or bald careerbuilder This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactiveo on behalf of CareerBuilder among 561 hiring managers in senior management positions (CEO, CFO, Senior VP, etc) between August 16 and September 8, 2011.