The Power of Style: Standing Out in a Sea of 'Sameness'
The Power of Style: Standing Out in a Sea of ‘Sameness’
Last week, I was listening to a new episode of Dan Koe’s podcast, and his perspective on style and taste hit me hard.
He emphasized that style and taste live in the details and are a requirement for standing out in a world dominated by mediocrity, efficiency, and a sea of ‘sameness.’
Even if we provide immense value, are hyper-efficient, productive, or the best at what we do, if our unique style and taste don’t come through, it’s essentially meaningless. No one will care.
Like every other skateboarder on the planet, I was a huge Dylan Rieder fan. For those who don’t know, Dylan was an unbelievably talented skateboarder who passed away in 2016 from leukemia. He was only 28 years old. I rarely cry, yet I remember finding myself in tears over the passing of someone I had never even met. That was a new one for me…
But that’s the level of impact this man had - on me and so many others. Look him up, and you’ll be amazed at the outpouring of love for him, the sheer magnitude of his influence, and the number of people he inspired.
But what was it about Dylan that made him so unique? Why did he leave such a mark, touch people so deeply, and manage to move me to tears, even though we had never met?
It came down to his spirit, his style, and the effortless, genuine coolness with which he carried himself. He was someone we all wanted to be.
The Power of Style
Dylan had a beautiful, elegant, and powerful way of skateboarding. I remember being struck by how I could recognize his silhouette just by the way he pushed - a single body movement.
The way he executed it was so distinctive that any skateboarder could see his push and instantly know it was him. I never stopped to think about how insane that is until now.
It wasn’t about skill. It was about his way of doing it - the micro-movements that made it so beautiful. He had so much poise, power, and grace.
As I listened to Dan Koe talk about how style lives in the details, I found myself visualizing Dylan Rieder doing an impossible nose manual while I was staring out the window at the gym (just to paint a comical juxtaposition of me at the gym while fantasizing about skateboarding).
But I realized how much further this concept extends - not just to skateboarding or creative pursuits, but to everything we do in life, including business.
Think about a Wes Anderson or Quentin Tarantino film. Within five minutes, you know it’s theirs. The color palettes, the dialogue, the cinematography - every detail is is so uniquely them. Love their movies or hate them, they’re unmistakably theirs. The same principle applies to everything we do.
Being highly intentional and leaving our personal mark on what we do is how we truly win. It’s not just about delivering results; it’s about how we do what we do.
Why Style and Taste Matter
Especially in business, style and taste are often overlooked in favor of efficiency, productivity, or maximizing outputs. Not to downplay the importance of these, but our unique imprint - our personal aesthetic and our way of doing things is what makes us memorable, and ultimately what makes people care.
It’s the difference between being good and being unforgettable.
Think about the brands, artists, politicians, or business leaders you admire most. Chances are, they’ve cultivated a distinct style or taste that sets them apart.
At the very least, they’re sharing their perspective with the world. In a way, even that is a representation of their style - thoughts converted to spoken (or written) words, shaped by personal taste, even if those ideas are heavily influenced by others.
Take this Substack post for example - this entire article is influenced by Dan Koe and his thoughts on this very topic, yet it is still written from my perspective, in my tone, and in my style.
Getting back to the point - style matters, alot, even in business. This could be the way you communicate, the design of your products, or even the culture you build within your team. It’s about infusing your work with identity and intentionality - reflecting who you are, what you like, and what you stand for.
How to Embed Your Style into Your Work
Pay Attention to the Details – As Dan Koe said, style and taste exist in the details. Whether it’s the way you present your ideas, the aesthetics of your work, or even the tone of your communication, small choices add up to create a cohesive style.
Be Intentional – Think about your likes, dislikes, and the kind of person you want to be. Make deliberate choices that align with that vision.
Don’t Overthink It – This might sound like spiritual voodoo, but seriously - just move forward with what feels right and own your shit.
Allow Your Style to Evolve – Style and taste aren’t fixed. Experiment, take risks, and let your approach naturally evolve as you grow and are exposed to more inputs from the world.
Final Thoughts
In a world where so much feels interchangeable, style and taste are the ultimate differentiators. They’re what make us stand out, what make us memorable, and what make our work mean something.
Whether you’re a skateboarder, a business leader, an entrepreneur, or an artist, infusing your work with your unique identity is how you touch people - and ultimately, how you win. It’s not just about being the best. It’s about getting out of your own way and being unmistakably you.
P.S. This is my first attempt at a Substack post. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever shared my thoughts on the internet like this. I hope I didn’t sound too insufferable.
Here is a photo of me pushing on a skateboard back in the day, clearly trying my hardest to emulate Dylan Rieder…
So proud of you Dyl <3