FSB Author Article
Obama and the Age of Authenticity: Why Our New
Fearless Leader Is Also a
Fearless Fish . . . and How You Can Be One, Too
By Robin Fisher-Roffer,
Author of The Fearless
Fish Out of Water: How To Succeed When You're The Only One Like You
Now that Barack Obama has stepped
into the highest office in America, "outsiders" everywhere are feeling
the tug of their own potential. Here's how we, like Obama, can make
the most of what makes us different.
With Barack Obama's victory, it became official: Being "different"
is
no longer a handicap. If a black man can shatter the race barrier and
claim the highest office in the free world, we can all achieve our
dreams. Yes, a new day of acceptance has dawned, and if you listen
closely you'll hear the whispered promise: "It's okay to be yourself!"
That's right. There's never been a better time to march to the beat of
that proverbial "different drummer" that makes you you. And if
you've always felt that
you don't quite fit in, why not turn your unique qualities to your
advantage?
It's time to realize that your unusual personality, outlook,
appearance, or background -- really, any attribute that sets you apart
-- is not a liability but an asset. Being different gets you noticed,
which is the first step to gaining influence with those around you. And
refusing to hide or downplay your uniqueness makes you more authentic
-- which in turn leads others to like, trust, and believe in you.
This has always been true to a degree, but it seems authenticity is
more widely celebrated than it's ever been. The results of the recent
election prove the point: It's cool to be boldly different. It's cool
to be what I call a "fearless fish" -- and not only will people admire
you, they might even vote you into office!
In other words, authenticity is the new black. Somehow we've broken
through to an age where subterfuge, game playing, and conformity are
shunned, and openness, transparency, and "keeping it real" are
rewarded. And while Obama is the standard-bearer for this age, that
doesn't mean he's got the market cornered.
Not every fearless fish can be president, but every fearless fish can
achieve greatness in his or her own way. Whether it leads to business
success, a richly rewarding personal life, or both, you'll never be
sorry you unleashed your true self to swim free.
It can be daunting to think about making the transition from lonely
outsider to trailblazer, but it may be easier than you think. For
inspiration, just look at how Obama ignored expectations and conformity
in order to make history:
Love yourself first. (And others will
love you too!)
Before you can expect others to accept and love who you really are, you
must figure out for yourself who that person is. Focus on the aspects
of your life -- your job, your relationships, your talents, your
hobbies, even where you live -- that are truly you and not just who you
think the rest of the world wants you to be. Don't shy away from
something just because it goes against the norm.
It can be frustrating and lonely to think or look differently from
everyone else, but once you learn to accept yourself, others will
follow. Our country had never elected an African American president,
but that didn't stop Obama. He had a passion for this country and a
desire to run for office, and though the odds seemed to be stacked
against him, his belief in his own self-worth and capabilities shone
through.
America was able to see what Obama already knew about himself, and we
elected him based on his own confidence to be able to do the job right.
Don't apologize for who you are. Use
it.
Although our country officially prides itself on being a "melting pot,"
in reality our culture dictates that people act a certain way or be
labeled as (gasp!) weird or different.
Everything is scrutinized -- from the clothes we wear to the cars
we
drive to the music we listen to -- and if it doesn't pass muster,
you're seen as an outsider. It can be easy to fall into the trap of
trying to fit in and losing the things that make you unique -- and
those are the very things that make you an asset to yourself and
others.
Take Obama, for instance. His childhood was remarkably different from
most of the senators he worked with every day. As a biracial son raised
by a single mother and grandmother, his meager beginnings didn't
include private schools and Ivy League dreams. But during his campaign,
he never tried to hide or apologize for who he was, and it paid off.
Americans felt connected to Obama, and they felt like he was familiar
with their concerns because he had been there before. He wasn't selling
the same story that candidates before him had used, and it won him the
votes.
You can't be unforgettable unless you dare to be different. If you
strive only to blend in, you'll see that opportunities will continue to
pass you by.
Surround yourself with good people.
One of the smartest moves you can make, in business or in your personal
life, is to surround yourself with people who will add to your life and
help you to grow. The truth of the matter is that new relationships
aren't going to forge themselves, and it may take sticking your neck
out a time or two before you can make the right connections.
Barack Obama made a habit of aligning himself and surrounding himself
with smart people who helped him along the way. Many of them were "fish
out of water" like him. From his various mentors, to his entire
campaign team, every single person played a critical role in his
eventual success.
Obama learned from his mentors, depended on and trusted them. You can
do the same. If there's someone you admire, or who has a skill you'd
like to learn, buy him a cup of coffee and ask for his advice or even
his help. If you don't ask, the answer will always be no. If you
do—well, who knows where you might end up!
Fit in -- but do it your way. The best part of
being a person who never "fit in" any one
place is that you can become a pro at fitting in anywhere! But that
doesn't mean becoming a boring conformist. You can follow the rules
without "selling out." If your own personal style is eclectic and
funky, but your office dress code calls for staid business suits --
compromise. You might wear a colorful scarf or an antique brooch along
with the acceptable business attire. (Not only will it let you express
yourself, it will be a good conversation starter and a great way to
meet other fish like you.)
Obama is different from most of his political peers, and yet, he isn't
exactly the guy next door, either. Throughout his campaign we've seen
his ability to use his status as different to relate to people from all
walks of life. Whether he is on the basketball court, being a father
and husband at home with his own family, or rolling up his sleeves to
help paint a wall at a school, he maintains the composure demanded by
politics while maintaining who he is intrinsically. Still, he didn't
show up at his inauguration (or on the campaign trail either) wearing
basketball shorts!
There's nothing wrong with "fitting in" as long as you don't have to
compromise who you are in order to do it—something Barack Obama
figured out long ago. He's proved you can mix Burberry suits and fist
bumps and have both seem perfectly natural.
Use your difference to make a difference. Those
who are different are perfectly positioned to make a difference. It's
not the wallflower who's going to help a company go green, or the
conformist who will invent the new business model. You'll discover that
you can create change -- and be an inspiration -- because you don't
blend in. The best way to change negative impressions or stereotypes is
to do good work -- both on the job and out in the world.
Obama's mantra of "Change We Need" couldn't have come at a better time.
He saw a nation that was desperate for something different, and he knew
that he had the fresh perspective that people were looking for. Rather
than trying to blend in, he embraced the things that made him different
from the other candidates and used them as a platform for his campaign.
Keep it current. The world is
continuously evolving (and at a very fast pace), and we as individuals
should be no exception. Always think about what your next move should
be and pay attention to how you can stay relevant in a world that is
constantly changing. Obama used social networking to stay current
during his presidential campaign -- and we can all emulate his
enthusiasm for staying relevant.
Everyone thinks of Obama as youthful, but really, he's 47 -- which is
hardly a spring chicken. His attitude is part of what makes him seem so
young. He built his brand and made himself relevant by embracing the
Internet and creating a movement that amounted to an all-out call for
change in America. He regularly updated his pages on social networking
sites with photos, videos, and success stories, and made his own
inclusive website more dynamic than all the other candidates' sites by
inviting his followers to create their own blogs and send policy
recommendations.
The moral is this. You have to stay current and fresh to stay on top.
Do it and others will be attracted to your energy and your willingness
to change.
Put yourself out there. Many of
us have had something happen that rocked our world and made us question
our personal value and the decisions we've made about our lives.
Perhaps as a college student, spending those first formative years on
your own, you realized that you actually didn't share the same
political or religious beliefs as your family. It can be a scary and
life-changing realization to forge ahead with a new set of standards
and ideals, especially when you think that your family might not
approve. As a fearless fish, no matter what the consequences, you have
to move forward with what you know to be true to yourself. You
can overcome these obstacles by practicing the ABCs for fish out of
water: action, belief, and courage.
Obama had to truly believe in himself before he could have ever
attempted to run for the office of President of the United States. It
took a lot of courage to stand up and say, "I know that I am different
from every candidate before me, but I know I am the right person for
the job." His authenticity was magnified by his courage and the action
he took to put himself out there -- and the rest, as they say, is
history.
If you believe in the authentic self that you have discovered, it will
give you the courage to take action and move forward as a fearless
fish. The only person who has the final say in the outcome of your life
is you. Tune out the naysayers. Trust your instincts and do what feels
right for you and you'll find your success.
Here's the thing: When you're different from the norm, you already
attract attention. Why not allow that attention to energize you rather
than squelch you? Why not let it take you somewhere you never dreamed
you could go?
The attention you attract may be the best thing that ever happened to
you. It was certainly true for our nation's new leader, and it can be
for you as well. You have so much to offer and so much to gain. Take a
note from President Obama and give the world a fearless representation
of who you are. You can be the one whose individuality makes a
difference. Know who you are and don't apologize for it. Use it to set
yourself apart from the crowd and make your own piece of history in
2009.
Copyright © 2009 Robin
Fisher-Roffer author of The
Fearless Fish Out of Water: How To Succeed When You're The Only One
Like You
Robin Fisher Roffer, author of The Fearless Fish Out of
Water: How To Succeed When You're The Only One Like You,
is CEO of Big Fish Marketing, one of the entertainment industry's
preeminent brand marketing and digital advertising agen-cies, with
clients such as A&E, Bravo, CNN, Comedy Central, FX, MTV, NBC
Universal, and Sony Pictures. For more information, please visit fearlessfishoutofwater.com
and www.robinfisherroffer.com.