REMEMBERING: It's COOL to be DIFFERENT!

Do you ever feel like you are different? I admit it. I do. I think I always knew that I was just not from a normal lot. I do have my quirks. I wonder if most of us feel this way for our own reasons. What qualities make you uniquely DIFFERENT? Have you thought about it lately?

These are interesting questions to ponder now and then. I am a thinker. A dreamer. A doer. I can play or be very serious. I can really get into almost anything giving it 150%. However, my optimism on occasion gets me in trouble. :-) I've also learned I'm adaptable --- life has had its inherent twists and turns, missteps, milestones and miracles. I'm noticing that it gets easier to see and admit my IMPERFECTIONS. It's a constant tuning and re-tooling effort. Through it all, I've never felt light and carefree, as much as driven to make a contribution. Sometimes, I long for the easy time. ...and when I am just burned out on it all, I wonder why and how I got this way. How about you?

As I have contemplated the art of putting our differences to work, it has helped me recognize how important it is for each of us to own and accept our differences --- our quirks and unique qualities. In doing so, we learn to be more welcoming and appreciative of the differences in others.

Once in a while, I run across the well-known writing of Steve Jobs, [beloved co-founder of APPLE]. He seemed to be cheering each of us on --- especially those of us who know we've come from a self-defined odd lot. Reading his wisdom agains always makes me feel so accepted and understood. It feels good! It seems from his perspective it is cool to be just a little different. See if you agree...

Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes. Yes!
The ones who see things differently. Yes! Yes!

They're not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They invent. They imagine. They heal.
They explore. They create. They inspire.
They push the human race forward. Yes! This is what I want to do!

Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.
While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones who do."

—Steve Jobs, Apple C.E.O.

What makes you unique?
What distinctive qualities do you bring to your personal style of leadership?

Warm regards to all...
Debbe

 

Debbe Kennedy, author and founder, president, and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies
Twitter: @debbekennedy  @onlinedialogues

Book:  Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance 
Learn more: http://www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com/about.html

** 2010 Axiom Business Book Award Winner** - Bronze
for Human Resources and Employee Training

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I run around the well-known writing of Steve Jobs, especially those of us who know we've come from a self-defined odd lot.