I am a student of history… both ancient and recent… which gives me a certain perspective that those with “short memories” do not have. I study — and have been studying– MANY leaders and industry makers and industry disruptors.
The GREATS, I call them.
I study them because success leaves clues.
And there is GREAT gold to be found…. timeless truths about having incredible impact.
IMPORTANT: I look NOT for outliers in strategy, but what these “GREATS” have in common.
What worked for ALL of them?
One timeless truth: ALL of the “GREATS” came into an industry and turned it on its head.
Jesus with religion.
Bezos with retail.
Jobs with personal computers.
Lauder with makeup.
Each of us have a choice to make.
Will we come in and CONFORM to some lame industry standard and fit in?
Or will we come in, bring ALL of ourselves to an industry and STAND OUT?
Will we thumb our nose at the “this is just the way we do it” mentality?
If we hope to BECOME one of the GREATS in our industry… we will.
We have that choice,
every day:
Fit in and go with the flow
Or stand out and make some noise.
I don’t have to tell you the choice I made.
And make.
Every single day.
Cue Rage Against the Machine’s, “F*ck You I won’t Do What You Tell me!” song… which has been on my “most played” list since high school.
The average “coach” struggles to make even a living wage, all while courting prospects, playing nice, showing up at ALL the meetings and doing ALL the things and discounting her prices and following someone else’s script.
I heard a word once that I WISHED I’d coined myself: Stepford-preneur. =) (It’s a great word, right?)
But, YUCK!!
And no thanks!
No thanks because this type of conformity drives me freaking NUTS. And No thanks because it leads to mind-numbing, soul-crushing mediocrity.
A better way:
Look around your industry
and break ALL the rules.
As a coach, I’ve NEVER had a “sign up for a complimentary session” link on my site. EVER, not even on day ONE.
As a speaker, I’ve never submitted a speaking reel to get a gig. EVER. Not once.
As a woman entrepreneur, I’ve NEVER catered to the husband-funded crowd, despite there being a TON of money to be made in that niche.
As a Christian, I’ve NEVER spoken Christian-ese or jumped on ANY judgement bandwagon.
So, over to you:
What do you do WILDLY different than everyone else in your industry? Not just a little bit different or slightly different, but WILDLY, IN YOUR FACE different?
Here’s a hint…
which I learned from JESUS, BEZOS, JOBS, LAUDER, and every other industry giant I have EVER studied:
When you are breaking from industry norms…
wildly enough,
often enough…
You will KNOW it.
Because you will NO LONGER be “liked” by the masses.
You will be mocked.
You’ll be talked about. “How DARE she..”
You will be the elephant in the room…
that everyone (at first) thinks will go away quickly.
AFTER ALL, how could you POSSIBLY succeed and hang around when you’re not following their rules???? Won’t your business die away under your own rebellion?
Oh no, friend….
There’s a REASON the “middle finger salute” is the official wave of the entrepreneurial crowd.
And elephants in the room,
tend to not be ignored for very long.
Eventually, they make that room their own. =)
So, here’s to US.
Greats in our own right.
Those coming in and mucking things up.
Those courageous enough to come into their own industries and declare when the emperor has no clothes.
Those who call B.S. when she sees it.
Those who are willing to be disliked,
for being ruthlessly and authentically themselves.
Women Who WOW, I’m honored to stand among you. Want in to our rebellious tribe of elephants in the room? Email me.
