I am unique ... or 'Add Value'

Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.

In today's world, one of the most important thing people want is to be unique. You can succeed only if you are unique. Only if you are different. So, there is constant urge to be different and unique. The problem happens when everyone does that. One professor (not very good at statistics) said proudly, "all the students in my class are above average!" Try telling him that it is statiscally impossible. All the advertisements say how that particular product or brand is different. What is your USP, unique selling proposition? Just imagine, if someone advertises, "Our soap is good, but it is like every other soap", will we buy it?

In the professional place too, people want to stand out. Read recently an article on organisational issues. How everyone is adding value to company's efforts these days, and why it has become even counter productive! Here are some excerpts for us all to muse...

"The trend of 'adding value' is taking the corporate world by storm. This has transformed into an addiction to excellence as we are always, consciously or subconsciously, looking to add value. Everything from meetings to brainstorming sessions to the simplest discussions moves to a solemn plane. It is not about sharing opinions, solving problems or generating ideas anymore, but has more to do with squelching others and scoring one over everyone else.

For instance, picture this: A person just starts floating a simple idea, only to have everybody else interrupting with different (read:better) ways to tackle the issue. Nobody is willing to listen, minds only whir to churn out another way of doing things. And, obviously the best one is always 'my way'.

It is goodbye to teamwork and collaboration. The overpowering drive to add value does yield instant positive effects by way of an initial motivation and spur in productivity, but not for long. It is not sustainable and soon poisons the entire atmosphere."

After reading this and learning an important thing in life, I have decided not to add value to the world and just be like everyone else and accept others' views. I have decided today not to try to be unique. But, till everyone else also changes, that is an unique thing to do! Aha!