Embracing Your Unique Edge: Why Being Weird Works

Stand out, think differently, and break the mold. Discover how embracing your quirks can drive creativity, innovation, and unforgettable professional impact.

I'm unapologetically weird—and I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. From an early age, I stood out, walked against the grain, and charted my own course. Take first grade, for instance. My teachers were convinced I might have a learning disability because I refused to answer their questions. During a meeting with my mother, they finally asked me why I wasn’t participating in class. My response? “She’s the teacher—shouldn’t she know the answers?” That moment earned me a spot in the “Mentally Gifted” program (or maybe it should’ve been called the “Goofy Gifted” program). But even in that environment, I found myself boxed into yet another one-size-fits-all system that didn’t quite fit me.

This brings me to something we all instinctively know but don’t always acknowledge: talent doesn’t think alike. Creativity thrives outside the box. Artists, musicians, innovators—they’re wired differently for a reason. They see the world through a lens that others often overlook. And while it’s easy to dismiss the connection between creativity and fields like programming or business strategy, they’re more closely linked than you might think. Sure, you can teach someone to code just like you can teach an artist brushstrokes or shading techniques. But when it comes to designing something truly groundbreaking—a new system, a fresh approach—you need to think differently. You need to be willing to break the mold.

Unfortunately, our education system—and society at large—tends to churn out conformity. It’s designed to produce people who fit seamlessly into corporate environments and follow established norms. But here’s the good news: this is starting to change. Visionaries like Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, are championing self-driven learning and fostering curiosity in ways that nurture out-of-the-box thinkers.

I’ve seen firsthand how standing out can make all the difference. Back when I was navigating the MBA recruiting circuit, I couldn’t help but notice how cookie-cutter everything felt. The same suits, the same resumes, the same rehearsed elevator pitches—it was like everyone had been stamped out of the same mold. By my second event, I decided to shake things up: I showed up wearing a pink mohawk wig. Naturally, people were baffled. One recruiter even asked me outright, “Why would you come in like that?” My response? “Because you’re going to remember me.” And guess what? They did.

The takeaway here is simple: do what works for you and focus on getting results—don’t waste energy trying to blend in or conform to expectations that don’t serve you.

Before wrapping up, I want to share a thought-provoking idea from Eric Ryan of Method, who has spoken about the challenges of staying unconventional while scaling an international company. He quotes Andy Spaide with this gem:

“The bigger you get, the smaller you need to act.”

So here’s my advice: embrace your quirks and lean into your unique perspective—it’s your greatest asset in a world that too often values sameness over originality.