...Still Be You

If you don’t see the world same way as other do, it is okay. Which means, it is okay to think and do things differently. Yes, even in the corporate world. 

One needs to follow rules, certainly abide by norms and policies, but within that framework, not necessarily surrender to ‘groupthink’. What is more important is to be authentic, genuine, your utmost true self and believe in the ways you think will work. Your colleagues, friends and managers may still not see you the way you want them to, they may struggle to accommodate to your outlier’s approach. Many will try hard to bucket you in one of the standards. When you make others anxious much, they would try and rationalize by adding frills and tunes to what you are ‘absolutely not doing, not being & not intending’. But the advantage of being authentic, even when you ain’t understood is - that you don’t conflict with yourself and that’s mostly a good way to close a workday. 

It isn’t going be a smooth ride, especially in the early years of your career. You will be questioned, more than that speculated. Your actions may be given political twist or flavors of egotistic agendas. You will be loved and you will be hated. You will be admired and you will be pushed to a distance. But you won’t be ignored, because you can’t be ignored. While all this will happen, there will always be people who would want you on their team, who would acknowledge and empower your ideas, philosophy and vision. Who would nurture you for all the odds that others see. There are always people who see you, they may be few, but they are there.

Hence, you will be watched at every step of the way. By juniors, peers and the seniors. You better deliver! You must perform every task, project, program with passion and commitment. You must ace it, even when pushed against the wall. Never give up believing in your strength and talents.

So if you are such a person, you will need to keep kindness and humility very close to you, at all times. It will not be easy. Some people and their actions would make you angry, frustrated, sometimes sad. But you won’t change yourself for them? Would you? Not worth it. One simple ‘distinction’ that will help you still be kind is that - you the person is not on the target, it’s your unusual mind; its cognition and output which is.

When I tell you this, I am not implying by any means to be a rebel, to not accept guidance or feedback or to negate others viewpoint. What I am saying is, if you are one of those, who do not always find yourself doing the usual, being the usual, thinking and seeing the way most others do - don’t doubt yourself. It’s isn’t wrong. It isn’t your fault. It’s your ‘gift’ and it only take patience, perseverance and time for others to understand. They eventually do.

It’s your journey with your colleagues and at your workplace. It is long, testing and challenging, but it is hell rewarding, if you do it right! 

So be you...