I’ve been reflecting lately on my own professional brand, and what I want to focus on next for my audience and one of the things I’ve noticed is the paradox between the fact that we are all unique, but not unique. Everything I hear a ‘thought leader’ say, I’ve heard before, in one form or another. Everything I see in terms of memes or videos is rephrasing things that others have already said. Even videos on TikTok have creators either paraphrasing each other, or outright ripping off another creator’s content and repackaging it as their own. For example, I was a bit disappointed to find out that a coach I’d worked with who I’d thought had some amazing unique ideas had only been repurposing stuff she’d read elsewhere, but in thinking on all of this, it made me realize something important:
The difference or uniqueness in information sharing really resides in the ‘how’ we share it.
Two creators or thought leaders might be saying the same thing, but the way they say it will appeal to different audiences that don’t cross over. One thought leader might be great at synthesizing information, another might be great at application techniques and yet another might be great at supportive phrasing or cheerleading, or one might be a vulgar truth teller. All those approaches to content are valid. A long time ago, when I was learning some speaking techniques, I recall the facilitator sharing a story about how life is like a potluck dinner – you show up and bring your particular dish with all your special seasonings and if you don’t show up, someone else doesn’t eat. They can only eat your dish, can only hear the message from you, because, for whatever reason, they find you relatable or resonant. The minute you think about not speaking up because you think you have nothing to say, think again – it might not be exactly what you’re saying, but how. Don’t let the fear of being ‘not unique’ stop you. Only you can say things in your own unique way, so work on finding your true voice, and then share what you’re going to share. You never know who or when someone will need to eat.