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Why is it essential for individuals to be different?
In a world of frenzy competition for career opportunities, if you’re not different in some relevant and meaningful way, you’ll go unnoticed, be ignored and will be just another member of the faceless herd.
To blend in is to have no personal identity; nothing special that will shout you out to others.
Being like everyone else in the crowd may feel comfortable but it is no recipe for long term survival and success.
Being different is the call for people to step out; to walk away from ‘this is the way we’ve always done it around here’ and sell ideas that are contrarian in nature. To perform a role in a unique way that produces amazing and unexpected results for their organization.
There is, however, a dark side to being different;
where people try to explain away and justify dysfunctional behaviour under the banner of being different.
Being different does not give an individual the right to demean others. Disrespect them. Bully them. It’s not about committing outrageous acts with language intended to hurt someone else. It’s not building yourself up while tearing another down.
Being different is the enemy of narcissism. Create remarkable value for others and you will attract attention and recognition to yourself. Self adulation and promotion are not necessary; others will provide the energy as an expression of their love for who you are and what you contribute.
Politicians that try to out-shout their opponents with name calling and personal assaults aren’t different; they’re people who attack rather than articulate the unique contribution they intend to make.
Executive leaders who chide their managers in public aren’t different;
they’re bullies who love to exert their power over others .
Team members who constantly gossip about their colleagues aren’t different; they’re opportunity seekers who want to portray themselves to leadership as being connected and having ‘their finger on the pulse’ of what’s going on in the organization.
Step out and serve others in a special way.