Are You Overextending Your Star Players? Maybe It’s Time Expand The Pool

By Brian Maynor

 

We are creatures of habit, no doubt about it and sometimes that’s a good thing, but it can also be exhausting and demanding.

I recently read on HBR.org an article from Ron Ashkenas’ Good Managers Look Beyond Their ‘Usual Suspects’that talked about how many managers have a small circle of key employees they consistently turn to for major projects.  This constant reliance often over taxes them and compromises their effectiveness.

Surprisingly the steps and rational he set out correlate perfectly with our wardrobe and those few pieces we continuously turn to, almost without thought.  See for yourself how Ron’s assessments can help you expand both areas of your life:

1.   It’s a matter of trust.  Ron states that managers often turn to a select group of people for key projects or initiatives, called ‘’glue people’’, not because they show up on organizational charts, but because they are trusted and respected from doing the job and doing it well.

With relation to your wardrobe, you’re probably already thinking about your ‘glue pieces’.   These are not the designer splurge pieces or statement pieces that create a lot of impact, but those supporting pieces you never seem to notice, but can’t live without.  For example that blouse or pair of pants you instinctively reach for when you’re in a hurry or don’t know what else to wear.  You trust those pieces to look great and work with your outfit no matter what.

2.  Over reliance can cause burn out and sometimes a blow out.   According to Ron these respected employees earned their trust because they work hard, meaning without these special projects they are already burdened with a full workload.  By adding additional responsibilities managers are further taxing their time and abilities thus compromising their overall performance.

Similarly, wearing the same few pieces frequently creates stress on the garment causing it to wear out, tear, or just disintegrate prematurely.  Even the highest quality pieces suffer from wear fatigue and will need a break if they are to last as long as you want them too.

3.   Map out your talent pool.  In order to take the first step in alleviating the bottleneck Ron recommends writing down committees, task forces or other assignment groups.   Seeing names repeated on lists makes your ‘go-to’ group clearly identifiable.  Once you know who they are then you can start looking for alternate contributors.

The same technique works great for your wardrobe.  Standing in front of your closet it’s easy to convenience yourself you wear more of the items in there than you really do, so take a few weeks and write down every item you wear.  When you look back at the list you may be surprised exactly how often you wear some of your pieces.

4.   Take a risk.  Whether it’s people or clothes we have a lot of options available and waiting for a chance to contribute and potentially shine.  Think about how much of your agenda you could achieve if you had more hardworking, dedicated and most of all trusted key players.

For your wardrobe, one way to affect change is to set aside the usual suspects and try not to use them for a week.  Without them in the rotation you will have to start trusting some of the other pieces.  Everybody wins that way.  You get more options and your clothes get worn less frequently so they can last longer.  Ideally you will also add some new pieces to your go-to pool.

 

While trust has to be earned, you also have to give it a chance.  Take that chance this week and see what happens.  It’s not like you have to go out and buy something new.  Options are literally hanging in your closet just waiting to be used.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.