“Today, average is officially over.”
—Thomas Friedman, three-time Pulitzer Prize– winning journalist and author of The World Is Flat
“Everything’s changed,” declared the man beside me, leaning in over a coffee table, surrounded by five others.
A mix of physiques—some with muscles popping from every angle, others lean but fit. Taking a closer peek, and tuning into their chatter, it became evident: they were law enforcement. A few donned workout gears, some in plainclothes, and one—probably a private investigator—sported handcuffs on his belt.
Their shared frustration was unmistakable.
They discussed the need to differentiate themselves from other units. Their tried-and-true methods of showcasing their skills and teaching others felt outdatedrr. They believed in their team’s excellence, yet it seemed their superiors weren’t paying attention.
In today’s world, brimming with talent, just doing your job right is the baseline.
Carla Harris, best-selling author and senior client advisor at investment banking company Morgan Stanley, puts it bluntly:
“Merely ticking off your tasks doesn’t guarantee upward mobility or, in some scenarios, even job security. Today’s professional arena craves something extra: differentiation.”
➪ The essence of differentiation
Consider differentiation as the distinct imprint of your professional identity. Within the corporate sphere, it’s the distinctive value, insight, or expertise you offer that differentiates you from the ensemble.
WHAT IS FAME AND WHY IT SHOULD MATTER TO YOU
To become a respected figure in which people are willing to invest in, certain values must be delivered and your authority needs to be established. By positioning yourself as an expert in your industry, you will cultivate trust among your audience.
Having authority grants you greater influence over others’ opinions and behaviors.
➪ When you are perceived as an authority in your field, your audience is more likely to heed your recommendations, such as trying new methods, products, or services.
➪You become a reliable source of information and a trusted expert.
Just a few years ago, you could skate by as just another average Joe or Jane. But those days are gone.
➪ Now you’re competing with the entire world.
But that also means you can work with the entire world. You can hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines, a designer in Serbia, and a writer in Australia. We live in a nearly borderless world, vying for attention with everything we do.
Thomas Friedman, the futurist, talked about the world becoming flat way back in 2005. But it wasn’t until recently, with systems like Fiverr, 99designs, and Venmo, that we saw the world truly come together like one big global village. And then COVID-19 surprised us by confining us to our homes, and as a result, we all got familiar with videoconferencing. No more in-person meetings? No problem! Webinars in Australia, conferences in Norway, and client meetings from our living rooms became the new normal.
So, what exactly has changed?
We are competing with the world. With the Internet and the omnipresence of smartphones, you are now competing not only with your local town, state, and country but with the entire world.
We are competing for attention. Every two days now, we create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003, according to Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google
We are being transformed by technology.
Today, we are witnessing a transformative shift that is redefining human interaction and visibility. The advent of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, and blockchain are radically reshaping various sectors, creating a seismic shift toward automation.
➪ However, while these technologies reduce the need for human intervention in many tasks, at the same time, they elevate the importance of personal recognition and visibility.
“The Era of Mass Fame is upon us.”
—CHRIS HAYES
American political commentator, television news anchor, activist, and author.
