Dear Leader,
Do you sense that there’s something different about you?
Perhaps it’s the way you approach a problem or a particular perspective you bring to a conversation. Sometimes you notice that you’re the only one who brings a unique idea or who sees a certain way forward.
I’ve often felt this way. Most of my career I worked in financial services—a traditional, blue-chip type of company. We managed people’s money, so understandably, it’s not the kind of industry that would latch onto the latest and greatest idea or embrace new trends head-on. They were more laggers than leaders, relying on legacy systems and proven methods before diving in with both feet into something new and uncharted.
However, I was wired differently. I brought ideas. Not ordinary, tried-and-true ideas, but ideas that were often never tried before. It took no effort on my part to come up with innovative approaches to solving longstanding, persistent problems. There was something about how my brain was able to come up with solutions that others struggled with.
But there was a problem. Even though I’d come up with ingenious ways to solve challenges our team and organization were facing, my colleagues didn’t always see my ideas as brilliant and innovative. More often than not, when I shared one of these breakthrough ideas, heads in unison would commence shaking no, and like a choir I’d hear, “No, we can’t do that here.” Or, “No, that can’t be done.” Or, “No, that’s not how we do things around here.”
Eventually I stopped sharing my ideas and started wondering what was wrong with me. No one else had these kinds of ideas, no one else thought the way I thought, no one else saw the world the way I did. Ultimately, I started to tell myself a story that it wasn’t that I had bad ideas, but rather there must be something wrong with me.
What I have come to learn is that your Brilliant Difference—these special gifts you bring to make a meaningful difference to others—is going to be in the minority. It’s not going to be something another colleague, teammate, or your manager will bring easily, naturally, and effortlessly like you. It’ll be something unique, distinct, and different that you bring. Oftentimes, you will be the only person who comes up with a certain idea or solution, notices a specific pattern, makes a certain connection, or brings a certain skill set to the table. And that’s the point. If others in the room could do what you do, bring your specific kind of Brilliant Difference, then guess what? There’d be no reason for you to be in the room.
Your Brilliant Difference will be a minority experience. You will sense there’s something different about you compared to others. You will be the only one in the room. And that’s the point. You were put in the room to bring that unique perspective, inventive solution, or cutting-edge idea. You are there to contribute in the only way your Brilliant Difference can—distinctively and brilliantly.
Next time you feel like the only person in the room, remember: it’s a sign that you’re the perfect person to be in that room.
Yours truly,
Finka
