Embrace the Outsider in You

👋 Hey everyone,

The most powerful words someone recently said to me: "You’ve always been an outsider looking in, and that’s your superpower."

I had a call with a dear friend of mine a few days ago, and as we were exchanging recent life experiences and plans for the future, he shared this deep reflection with me.

For the last 20 years, I have not managed to fully fit in anywhere. In reality, I think I never have.

See, I’ve always been the “new” person in the room, with the most questions in a meeting, the one who would challenge the status quo, and invite people to debate before reaching any solution or decision.

This annoying trait of mine was many times met with people rolling their eyes and showing their discontent at having to debate things that “were always done that way”. Yet, more times than not, the less obvious solution became the more successful one, and the road less traveled offered more reward than expected.

Why am I telling you this? Because, as the world is changing, we get fewer and fewer opportunities to debate, question things, or carve out time to think for ourselves. Algorithms these days keep us busy and continuously engaged to a point where we stop questioning what is being fed to us.

Are we losing our free will?

An interesting observation made by Jake Dorsey (founder of Twitter) recently made me think about why we are so disconnected from each other. He says that we live in algorithm-built little bubbles where everything is constructed to our liking and that the current conversation around free speech is a mere distraction. The real issue is the loss of our free will.

I can see what he means and I think he is right.

The metrics everyone seems to operate on these days are mostly anchored in volume - more likes, more engagement, more followers… more sales. Of course, the algorithms will improve to deliver on those exact metrics.

But what about the quality of those interactions, the depth of the conversations, and the diversity of thoughts? It seems we are sacrificing these for the sake of convenience and instant gratification.

This is where being an outsider looking in becomes not just a superpower, but a necessity.

_{As an outsider, you have a unique vantage point.} 

You’re not confined to the echo chambers of homogeneous thinking. You see the bigger picture, identify the gaps, and notice the patterns that others might miss. This perspective is invaluable, especially in a world increasingly dominated by algorithms and automation.

In my own experience, embracing this outsider status has allowed me to challenge the norm and propose innovative solutions. It has fostered a sense of resilience and curiosity. Rather than feeling isolated or marginalized, I’ve learned to leverage this position to drive change and inspire others to think differently.

So, when my friend told me, “You’ve always been an outsider looking in” it wasn’t just a moment of reflection; it was a call to action. It reminded me of the importance of questioning, of seeking deeper understanding, and of maintaining our individuality in a world that often values conformity.

We need more outsiders, more voices that dare to question and disrupt. We need to create spaces where diverse perspectives are not just tolerated but celebrated. This means actively seeking out different viewpoints, engaging in meaningful conversations, and resisting the temptation to retreat into our algorithm-curated comfort zones.

Being an outsider is not a disadvantage. When we decide to embrace our inner outsiders, nurture our curiosity, and champion our free will, we will manage to build a future that is not only more connected but also more thoughtful and inclusive.

Until next time, keep your 👀 on the future.

Oana xx

PS. Earlier this week I published a longer article on Disney’s “Brandetainement” Playbook and how blending branding with entertainment is the key to evolving brand loyalty. If you haven’t read it yet, you can check it out here.

PPS. On the latest The Unmtchd. Podcast episode I had a really good conversation with founder of KLOWT, Amelia Sordell, on the incredible ROI that building a personal brand has on people’s lives and careers.