The OffBeat #56: Shop—And Lead—Like a Collector, not a Buyer

Leading for the long term

Fashion writer and consultant

Harling Ross Anton

published an excellent essay on personal style last year in which she introduced the principle of shopping like a collector, not a retail buyer:

“A retail buyer considers how each new item will complement the store's buy for that particular season, whereas a collector thinks about how a new item will complement the whole of their collection not just now but also — more importantly — over the long-term.”

Do you collect anything? Whether it’s vinyl, dice, miniature spoons (my childhood fascination—anyone else?), art, or whatever, think about how your brain selects a new addition to the collection:

• There’s an element of care, and thoughtfulness with regard to the future

• You’re not looking for what you “should” add to your collection; you’re driven by taste and instinct

Same deal with work. When you’re leading with a long-term mentality, you’re considering the craft of leadership. You’re building skills that will benefit the big picture, you’re establishing and strengthening relationships that will reinforce your professional support system, you’re conducting yourself with integrity in taking actions that will feel good tomorrow, not just today.

Leadership-as-collecting results in an accumulation of high-value relationships and capabilities. But how do you know if you’re on the right track? Buying and collecting can feel awfully similar. Gut-check yourself with these questions:

1. Name the first three people you’d poach from your current or former companies to bring to your next one

2. What’s the #1 leadership skill you’re focused on honing this year?

3. Describe your career journey to date in 3 sentences or less

If those prompts were relatively easy to answer, you’ve got the collector mentality.

Anton also writes,

“A retail buyer caters to the mass market, whereas a collector revels in the pursuit of rare treasures and unique finds.”

Again, ditto in the workplace. Leading like a collector, instead of a buyer, attunes you to what makes you singularly impactful as a leader by moving you to select and compile unique tools and skills.

It’s like how each member of a jazz ensemble, or any band, has a responsibility to not just “sell” that night’s gig—to show up prepared, listen to each other, and play their best—but to do so in the spirit of building something even better over the long haul.

Leading, like collecting—or like playing and performing music—is a long-range pursuit with beautiful results.

Have a great week,

Allison