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A former boss once commented, “We need to make you more mainstream.” It was meant to be a helpful comment, and I took no offense.

Clones with a slight differentiation do well in the workplace. A mentor of mine advised me, “If you talk and look like your audience, you will be considered intelligence. Yet another boss coached me thus, “You will be sent to talk to the person you sound like the most.” The “slight differentiation” is useful to make you interesting, but not “deviant.”

You are different. Dare to be different. But don’t confuse being different with the need to walk around with a chip on your shoulder. And, don’t go on a crusade.

Being “mainstream” may help you “fit in” and be “socially acceptable” but it will dampen your efforts to be the best you can be. Be yourself, but when you communicate, target your audience, so you win them over and gain support for your ideas.