PAUL LUKERT
AUTHOR
As a Certified Maxwell Leadership Team Member and DISC Consultant with 30+ years of executive experience, I help individuals and organizations enhance their leadership skills and establish a winning team and culture.
More Hangers, More Problems:
What My Closet Taught Me About Leadership (and Life)
This weekend, I embarked on what I thought would be a simple task—organizing my closet. You know, just a little tidying up, maybe finding a long-lost sweater or two. But what I discovered was something far more alarming.
For years, I operated under the belief that I didn’t have enough hangers. Every time I found myself struggling to fit a new purchase into my closet, I’d think, “If only I had more hangers, everything would be fine.” So naturally, I bought more. And more.
Then reality hit me—I didn’t have a hanger shortage. I had a hanger excess.
Turns out, the real problem wasn’t the hangers; it was my relentless habit of holding onto things I didn’t really need. And it made me think—how often do we convince ourselves that the solution to our challenges is more, when in reality, we need less?
Step 1: More Isn’t Always the Answer (Except When It Comes to Coffee)
For the longest time, I truly believed that more hangers would solve all my closet woes. But instead of creating space, all those extra hangers just enabled me to hold onto things I never wore.
In business, we do the same thing. We think we need more tools, more resources, more meetings—but often, piling on more just complicates things further. The truth is, more isn't always better; sometimes, it's just more.
Lesson learned:
Before adding, ask yourself—do I really need it, or am I just avoiding the real issue?
Step 2: The Illusion of Control (A.K.A. Why I Had 20 White Shirts)
Looking at my closet, I realized I had been hoarding clothes under the illusion that they gave me control—control over my style, my choices, my image. But in reality, they were just taking up valuable space.
The same goes for leadership. We cling to outdated processes, unnecessary tasks, and that one project from 2010 that’s definitely going to work someday. Letting go feels risky, but it’s often the best way to gain clarity and focus on what truly matters.
Step 3: Decision Fatigue – My Closet vs. My To-Do List
Here’s the thing—more hangers meant more clothes, which meant more choices, which meant… decision fatigue. And if you’ve ever stood in front of your closet for 15 minutes staring into the abyss, you know what I mean.
In leadership, having too many choices—whether it’s strategies, tools, or opportunities—can be paralyzing. Simplifying what’s in front of you creates mental clarity and helps you make decisions faster and with greater confidence.
Step 4: The Power of Letting Go (Goodbye, Sequin Jacket I Never Wore)
Once I accepted that I didn’t need all those extra hangers (or clothes), I felt a sense of relief. Letting go of what I didn’t need helped me appreciate and use what I do have more effectively.
The same principle applies in business: decluttering your processes, eliminating unnecessary meetings, and focusing on what truly drives results creates a more streamlined, efficient operation.
Step 5: Addressing the Root Cause (Hint: It Wasn’t the Hangers)
At the heart of it all, my issue wasn’t the number of hangers; it was my mindset. I equated more stuff with better preparedness, but in reality, it just made things harder.
In business, it’s easy to fall into the same trap—believing that success requires more resources, more technology, or more initiatives. But often, success comes from simplifying, streamlining, and focusing on what truly makes an impact.
Conclusion: Clarity Over Clutter
After donating bags of clothes and ditching those extra hangers, my mornings are easier, my decisions are quicker, and my closet finally makes sense. And honestly? I don't miss a thing.
The same can be true in leadership. By letting go of what’s unnecessary, we create space for what truly matters—whether it’s innovation, growth, or simply peace of mind.
So, here’s my challenge to you: What are the “extra hangers” in your life or business that are cluttering your space and slowing you down? Maybe it’s time to reassess, declutter, and embrace the power of less.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some extra hangers to get rid of… anyone need a few?
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