There are many reasons athletes wear uniforms. The same holds true for members of the military. Even young children in school often wear uniforms. One of the big reasons? Psychology. Yes, psychology. The science of the mind, mental states, and processes is, to me at least, a fascinating field of study. Psychology permeates our conscious, and very much our subconscious. So, what does psychology have to do with branded t-shirts in the workplace? Read on to find out.
Teamwork:
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” -Andrew Carnegie
The former steel magnate, who became one of the wealthiest people in American history, went on to become an active philanthropist. He understood that his successes were, in large part, due to a team concept. His knowledge can help you as a business owner understand the value of branded t-shirts in the workplace.
Athletes in Team Sports:
Ever watched members of a football team hug in celebration after one of their teammates scored a touchdown? Ever seen a basketball player point to the teammate who made the perfect pass to him for a slam dunk? Have you witnessed an entire baseball team jump into a big pile after winning the World Series? The common denominator here is that they are all members of a group working collectively, a team. Another common thread is that they all wear uniforms. It’s important. When a collection of people wear uniforms and perform well, they feel like winners. In fact, they are winners as an aggregate.
Military Members:
Upping the ante now, with members of the military as the basis for uniformity and being part of a cohesive unit. Whether it was the Revolutionary War, Vietnam, or Desert Storm, military members fought side by side. Those in the Armed Forces fight like brothers, like sisters. They give of themselves willingly, without giving it a second thought. They think of the unit before themselves. And yes, they die in each other’s arms. They do all this and more wearing uniforms. They are more than teammates. They are family, fighting to keep us safe. They wear their uniforms with pride. Their uniforms are a badge of honor. I don’t know if I can think of a greater sacrifice than when they lay down their lives for hundreds of millions of people they’ve never even met. They do it uniformly, troops and platoons wearing the same clothes, defending all of us from being harmed.
Schoolkids:
Today’s world is littered with inequality, socio-economic imbalance, and racial division. And it’s not just among adults. Kids can be tough on one another. Bullying is a real thing. Those who seem superior lay into those who appear inferior. Physical appearance, smartly, has been amended by schools across the country. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 25% of public schools in the U.S. require students to wear uniforms. The practice of same clothes on all schoolkids produces a psychological equality. Without uniforms, maybe the less fortunate child who can’t afford expensive clothing appears inferior. With it, and how brutal kids can be on an uneven playing field, school administrators have now leveled that playing field. There is a commonality with having uniforms in schools. The words appear and appears are in bold letters in this section to highlight how a uniformed appearance can have a unifying, harmonizing effect on a group.
The Workplace:
This article has illustrated three different scenarios in how uniforms are important among groups of people. It’s tried to emphasize ways that uniforms can play on the psychology of people. Which leads us to the workplace, and how these examples show relevance why wearing t-shirts at work can have a positive psychological impact on the staff.
Like the sports teams, wearing the same shirts emboldens a team atmosphere. Teammates want to succeed. They want to win. Together. Wearing t-shirts at work promotes a get-it-done mindset for the team (staff) to win.
Like those in the military, wearing the same uniform bolsters the mindset to help other team members. Same t-shirts display unity. They garner more selflessness from individuals. The staff can, without even thinking about it, become a squad, ready and energized to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Like the schoolkids, wearing corresponding t-shirts can play strongly on the psyche of those on staff who don’t hold as high a position as others. They won’t have to watch a fellow employee walk through the door in a suit and tie, while they sit there in fading jeans and a wrinkled, brandless shirt. There becomes a feeling of equivalency, not inequality.
All told, there is a psychology behind uniforms and uniformity. The psychology of wearing the same t-shirts can inspire a camaraderie in the workplace, and the subsequent staff unification can do wonders to bring about greater success.
