I’m strange and I’m proud

My Iowan buddy Mike Wagner recently gave a fantastic TEDx talk about the value of being strange.

I absolutely consider myself to be strange… and I’m kinda proud of it.

And what’s more, I think happiness at work is only possible when you can be yourself at work, i.e. when you’re allowed to be strange or maybe even celebrated for being so.

Have you heard about Zappos’ principles? One of their values is “Create fun and a little weirdness” so they as a company celebrate strangeness.

Also this:

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
– Hunter S. Thompson.

How about you? Are you strange? Are you allowed to be strange at work or do you have to conform?

5 thoughts on “I’m strange and I’m proud”

  1. Alex — great to be part of the same strange tribe as you!

    As usual your expansion on my TEDx Talk is spot on.

    Love the Zappos connection.

    And who is more authoritative on being strange than Hunter S. Thompson.

    I suspect both will show up in the eBook I’m writing by the same title.

    Thanks again!

    Keep creating…it freaks out the normal,
    Mike

  2. Alexander, thanks so much for posting this.

    I had goosebumps by the end and a cheesy grin, and who knows I may even let a little of the strange out today! I kind of forget how tiring it can be trying to be like a sheep…

    Keep up the good work.
    M x

  3. @Maria — just read your comment. Makes my day as a speaker. Uttering words before an audience at times seems such a insignificant act. And then I hear the effect they can have and I’m encouraged again.

    @Radha —- When Alex asks the question, are you allowed to be strange at work? He touches the frustration of many. It’s not likely we will bring our best when we are not allowed to be who we are.

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