Unlocking Your Unfair Advantage: The Secret to Standing Out in Life and Business

Have you ever thought that you could be sitting on a hidden superpower—something so second nature to you that you don’t even realize its value?

What if the thing you’ve been doing your entire life—the skill, the mindset, your upbringing, the way you connect with others—was the secret weapon that could catapult you to a level of success you’ve only dreamed of? Most people don’t even know they have it. I uncovered this personally with first-hand experience.

I was at a coffee shop a few years ago with a friend. Here’s a guy (a well-known TV producer) who, by all appearances, had it together. He could work a room, build relationships like it was nothing, and yet, he was stuck. Despite all the right moves, his business wasn’t moving. Frustration was written all over his face.

I asked him, “What’s the one thing you do better than anyone else?” He paused. That moment—right there—is where everything shifted.

We dug in and uncovered his hidden edge: Storytelling. He didn’t just tell stories; he wove them in a way that captivated people, making complex ideas feel simple and relatable. That was his Unfair Advantage. The moment he recognized it, everything changed. His business? It didn’t just improve—it exploded.

And then it hit me: Why don’t we all talk about this more? What if each of us has an Unfair Advantage waiting to be discovered—a unique edge that, when unleashed, could take us to unimaginable heights? What if the key to success isn’t following every rule in the book, but learning to harness and utilize that one thing only you can bring to the table?

Ready to find yours? Let’s dive in…

What is an Unfair Advantage?? An ‘Unfair Advantage’ is a skill, experience, or personal characteristic that sets you apart and uniquely positions you over others. Once you tap into it, it can be a game-changer.

?Your Unfair Advantage might be:

- A unique way of solving problems

- A powerful network of connections

- The ability to communicate complex ideas simply

- Talents that feel effortless to you but difficult for others like singing or public speaking

- Empathy that allows you to connect deeply with people

The key is that no one else can easily copy or replicate it -- it’s “uniquely yours”.

The Unfair Advantage Formula | 5 Steps to Harness Your Unique Edge

Here’s how you can uncover and harness your Unfair Advantage, with real-world examples of famous people who used theirs to break through and soar to new heights. Once they recognized their own strengths, others saw it too creating belief, support, and ultimately, their undeniable success.

1. Self-Audit: Reflect on What Makes You Different

The first step is to reflect on what makes you “different”. ?Often, your Unfair Advantage is something you’ve been doing all along without realizing its potential. Once you identify it, you can start to leverage it.

Take author?J.K. Rowling , for example. Rowling was a single mother, writing Harry Potter in cafés, struggling to make ends meet. Her Unfair Advantage? An unparalleled ability to create magical worlds and deeply relatable characters. Once her manuscript reached publishers, they saw her storytelling superpower. That belief in her gift led to unprecedented support—her debut book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone changed everything.

Ask yourself and others:

- What do people naturally come to me for?

- What tasks or skills come easily to me that others find difficult?

- What experiences have shaped me in ways that make me see the world differently?

2. Sharpen Your Skills: Become So Good They Can’t Ignore You

It’s not enough to just know what you’re good at you have to ?refine it. The better you become, the more undeniable your advantage will be.

The iconic?Bruce Lee , knew this well. He wasn’t just any martial artist, he perfected his own fighting style, combining speed, precision, and philosophy in a way that no one else could. His intense focus on refining his craft made him ?so good that no one could ignore him . When Hollywood saw what he could do, they couldn’t resist his presence. A star was born.

Think of your Unfair Advantage like a tool: the more you sharpen it, the more powerful it becomes.

3. Leverage Your Network: Tap into Resources You Already Have

You’d be surprised how often your ability to connect people you’ve met through work, school, or even socially, can help you get ahead once you know what you need from them. Use those relationships to create opportunities where your Unfair Advantage can shine.

Oprah Winfrey?is another excellent example. She grew up in a difficult environment, facing poverty and trauma. But these challenges gave her a unique level of emotional intelligence and empathy, which became her mental gift. Oprah’s ability to connect deeply with others is what propelled her to the top of the media industry, and she leaned on that strength to create a network of supporters and advocates that magnified her success.

Look at the resources and relationships you already have that can help you amplify your strengths.

Ask yourself:

- Who in my network can open doors or provide opportunities?

- What emotional resources can I utilize to build more meaningful relationships?

4. Align Your Advantage with Your Purpose

When you align your Unfair Advantage with your Purpose, it becomes a force that others can’t help but support. Your passion will fuel your drive, and people will be drawn in and willingly become a part of your journey. My article on finding your Ultimate Contribution offers alignment in this space.

Consider Malala Yousafzai. ?Her Unfair Advantage ?was her courageous voice and her ability to advocate for girls’ education in Pakistan, even in the face of life-threatening danger. After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban, her purpose became even clearer and the world noticed.

Ask yourself:

- What am I truly passionate about?

- How can I use my strengths to make a meaningful impact in the world?

- What problems can I solve better than anyone else?

- How do i learn about my Ultimate Contribution?

5. ?Protect What Makes You Unique: Build Your Competitive Boundary

Once you’ve sharpened your Unfair Advantage and aligned it with your purpose and ultimate contribution, you need to protect it. Create a competitive boundary around what makes you great. ?Continuously refine and innovate, so no one else can easily step in and take your place. Stay relevant and never let it go!

Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, has built a moat around his patience and long-term investment strategies. In a world where people often focus on short-term gains, Buffett’s ability to think long-term and avoid emotional decision-making set him apart. Once people saw his strategy working, support and admiration only grew, making him nearly untouchable in the world of investing.

To build your competitive boundary:

- Stay curious and keep refining your strengths while exploiting them in private.

- Build loyalty around what you do best.

- Protect your ideas and innovations, sharing them wisely.

How I discovered my first Unfair Advantage…Humor.

For the longest time, I didn’t even recognize this as a strength in business—it was just something I did naturally.

When meeting new people, I’ve always had this knack for using humor to disarm them and build new bonds. Whether I’m in a professional meeting or a social gathering, I have turned awkward moments into laughter. This ability to make people feel comfortable right away became my superpower. It wasn’t until others started pointing out how quickly I gained people’s trust that I realized this was my unique?Unfair Advantage for networking.

Whether networking or collaborating, I used humor to break the ice, build trust, and forge deeper relationships. Humor wasn’t just a way to connect—it became my key to success. Humor helped me land my first television acting appearances, bridged me to my first business partnership, and enabled me to build connections that became mutually beneficial.

That’s the power of discovering your Unfair Advantage. It’s not just a skill or a trait—it’s ?your ticket ?to unlocking opportunities you didn’t even know existed or forget to reinforce.

We all have something that makes us unique—a skill, talent, or personal experience that gives us the perspective to gain an edge in business. By following the Unfair Advantage Formula, you can uncover your strengths, refine them, and build a barrier around them, ensuring your ascent is undeniable

Take the time to reflect on what makes you different, then harness it—and watch as new opportunities unfold.

So, what’s your Unfair Advantage? ?Please comment below. As always, if you like the content here, follow my newsletter for more.

All the best!

Greg

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