Brian Maynor March 20, 2014

By Brian Maynor
March 20, 2014


In the professional world, which leads to greater success:  looking like everyone else or to standing out for being different?

This is a conundrum that all professionals face, young and seasoned alike,and earlier this week I read a great article on the subject in the WallStreet Journal (Success Outside The Dress Code).  While there arebenefits to breaking the rules, there are also negatives.  Here are mytakeaways on the age-old question:

1.    Know the rules.  Just like every other discipline, before you can break the rules youfirst have to know them.  Being a nonconformist is not about ‘doingwhatever you want’.  It is about stepping outside and challenging theaccepted practice.  The implication is that you know and understand theaccepted practice before you can challenge it.

2.    Be deliberate and intentional.  This is a direct reinforcement of the previous premise.  In order toachieve the elevated status of a nonconformist your actions must be seen as deliberate.  When they are seen as accidental or a mistake, allpositive effects are lost.  The elevated status comes from the thoughtthat you are willingly engaged in challenging the norms.

3.    Success or failure is determined by others.  This is a constant when it comes to your image.  The key component ofimage is how others perceive it, and this does not change when youchallenge norms.  Your peers and colleagues are members of the groupfrom which you are attempting to break away.  They know the rules; willknow if your choice was deliberate or a mistake, and will ultimatelydecide if it was successful.   

4.    The effects are temporary.  The conclusion to the study stated what we already know; nonconformingbehavior acts a lot like shock value.  It is great for making animmediate impression, but the effects are short-lived.  Thus using anonconforming image as a way of setting yourself apart and gainingsuccess is not the best long-term strategy.  Focus will always shiftback to your attitude, behavior and competency.

Nonconformity is not really about breaking away from a group, but rather it is aboutelevating your status within the group by being different.  With thatgoal in mind, the best way to achieve recognition for being different is to show that you can be both an individual and operate within the normby pairing pieces that showcase your personality and individual stylewith other generally accepted ones.

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 athttp://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 inthe Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIANMAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consultingservices. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earthpersonality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations;modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; recordlabels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashionblogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trustedand recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education andtraining 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 likeBanana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach isinnovative, 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.