Embracing Unconventionality to Stand Out and Lead with Impact
Seth Godin recently wrote on his blog:
“They call it crowd control for a reason. If you’re in a crowd, it’s quite likely someone is trying to control you.”
How often have you found yourself blending in, following the well-worn paths of convention simply because it’s comfortable?
Seth goes on to say:
We must “figure out how to show up in a way that is generous and distinctive.”
Being distinct and generous has been driving me since I can remember, yet more often than not, I've been caught in the comfort of the crowd. Torn between the desire to stand out and the fear of backlash or being judged for it.
Generous, Distinctive, and Unapologetically You
For years, I followed the conventional script as I climbed the corporate ladder, measuring myself against others in a game of “compare and despair.”
This cycle drained my energy and dulled my generosity and creativity.
When you focus on others’ paths, you dim your own light, as explained in The Flashlight Principle.
The turning point for me came when I recognized that standing out isn’t about shouting louder than the crowd—it’s about distinguishing the unique gifts you bring to the table.
This is how you create ripples of impact that extend far beyond you.
The Sea of Sameness: Breaking Free from the Echo Chamber
In the coaching industry, it’s easy to fall into the trap of sameness. Social media has become an echo chamber of similar messages, quotes, and conventional tactics.
Standing out feels harder than ever. But real impact and success demand that I create a distinctive path.
John Maynard Keynes, as quoted in Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s upcoming book Rapid Transformation, puts it perfectly:
‘Worldly wisdom teaches that it is better for reputation to fail conventionally than to succeed unconventionally.’
This made me pause and reflect: How much of what I’m doing is conventional versus unconventional?
When I listed them out, my conventional side was bulky; my unconventional side, not so much.
As a high achiever, a CEO, and a leader, it’s easy to default to what’s worked for others, what you've done in the past, or what’s “safe.” We know that the greatest impact doesn’t come from playing it safe.
It comes from daring to be different.
What’s Unconventional About You?
Standing out means being willing to embrace what’s unconventional about you.
Take a moment to think about your own brand, your leadership, your business.
What about it is conventional? What’s unconventional?
Make two lists and be honest with yourself. Now, ask yourself: What could I achieve if I embraced a bit more of the unconventional? Unconventional for YOU, not as compared to someone else.
For me, success is defined by joy, ease, and impact. It’s not about standing out in the crowd for the sake of attention—it’s about creating lasting change, one client, one business, one decision at a time.
How Will You Stand Out?
Here’s an exercise I love, and I encourage you to try it out for yourself and your team. Answer these prompts:
I am
I will
I can
I do
Fill them with as many feelings and intentions as possible. When you lead yourself with emotion, you create a life and business that feels deeply fulfilling. Here's a feelings wheel to inspire you.
Consider workshopping this exercise to your leadership team. It's a powerful way to align around a shared vision. Ask them to think big, to stretch beyond the conventional and into the realm of possibility.
We are
We will
We can
We do
What could your team achieve if you embraced the unconventional and the impossible? Daring to do what no one else is doing.
Dare to Be Bold, Bodacious, and Unconventional
Group think is contagious.
Be sure to make space for every voice in the room.
Ask the team: What would that look like if we could achieve the impossible?
This week, lead by committing to doing things your generous and distinct way, with a bit of unconventionality.
If you want to take these exercises deeper to find your team’s impossible possibility, let me work with your team to see themselves differently and see what’s truly possible for their happiness and well-being at work while creating the extraordinary for the business. Yes, both are possible!
This is the perfect experience to fuel Q4 and plan for 2025.
One client's feedback…
“The program encouraged everyone, captured input from voices previously only sometimes heard, and helped us think creatively about the areas of the business that needed to be prioritized. She challenged our assumptions and perspectives. Help broaden our critical thinking skills. And help us set outcomes that meet our financial, cultural, and relationship goals to scale our business profitability.
—President, Media Agency
