What You Need To Do To Stand Out From a Crowd

“Never be afraid to stand out. It’s better to be remembered for standing out in a crowd than to be forgotten for blending in.“

Ash Sweeney

How To Stand Out From The Crowd

In every career, the challenge is in figuring out how to make a noticeable, lasting and meaningful mark. As humans, we all want to make a difference. But, making a noticeable mark in a matrixed world is a real challenge. It is hard to stand out from the crowd when everything worth doing seems to be accomplished through a team structure or collaboration of some sort. And it is even worse when political drivers subsume credit for your work

When I was managing marketers at P&G, one of the challenges I gave every new member of my team was to create a 30-day plan that defined the meaningful difference they planned to make. I felt it would not only get them off to a quick start, but it would force them to emotionally commit to building the brand.

In addition, I shared a list of 10 ways they could stand out from the crowd in a positive way. This list was compiled from advice I received and had served me well throughout my career.

Since the need to succeed is a universal one, I thought you might enjoy reading the list. I adjusted it to be relevant for the economic development profession. But, the counsel is applicable in all professions. Hopefully, one or two in the list might strike you as useful ideas.

10 Things You Can Do To Stand Out From The Crowd

Have a VISION for your Organization

What will be your legacy?
What will your community stand for in the eyes of residents and business leaders?
What are your strategies to deliver the vision?
How will you build on your predecessors?
Make it happen!

Lead your Organization to deliver “EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS”

Produce all time RECORD results – WIN!
Turnaround a major community challenge
Leave the community in better shape than when you started

Be the expert on your business – know the 4Cs

COMMUNITY, CUSTOMER, COMPETITION, CAPABILITIES

Knowledge is power – data, facts, experience, knowing the history…all will help you drive your objectives
Live your community
Know your target industries
Win vs. your competitors…and your community wins!

Have PASSION – Fight for what you believe in

Have a strong p.o.v. on what it really takes to build your community
Invite constructive criticism – take on builds – make plans even better
Make a few waves – don’t be afraid, even to say NO!
Cut the politics – YOU are the voice from the trenches

Have exceptional COLLABORATION skills

Influence, influence, influence
Proactively use colleagues to improve plans
Seek out the experts – listen & learn, create networks
Good leaders know when to follow

MAKE THINGS HAPPEN – Brilliantly!

Execution is strategic!
Execution is all your residents see- they don’t see your strategy
Execution is a critical source of competitive advantage
Pay attention to detail / get your hands dirty

Be an Exceptional “COACH”

Grow the people you work with – they will want you as their Mentor
Make every meeting a coaching meeting, make every day a coaching day
Care about other people’s aspirations
Replace underperformers on your teams

Keep it SIMPLE!!!

Don’t over-intellectualize – does your Mom get it?
What’s the 30-second elevator speech?
Be the voice of reality – you know when it’s getting out of hand

Create a FUN working Environment

People want to work for “Winners” who create a fun working environment
Celebrate success
Share the praise, don’t take all the credit

LEARN, LEARN, LEARN …

Don’t be complacent with where you are now in your career. You have so many more challenging experiences ahead of you. Remember, it is a journey.
Go outside your Organization for new ideas/concepts
– ADJUST AND REAPPLY, YOU DON’T NEED TO INVENT EVERYTHING
Invest in forming long-term personal alliances/friendships
Never stop learning

DISCUSSION

If you have an interest in self-branding as a strategy for personal success, you might enjoy visiting the SELF BRANDING section of this website. You will find a number of additional resources and perspectives on the topic.

Also, if you have any tips to share on how to stand out from the crowd (or even the perils of standing out), please share.