Despite having lived in the U.S. for almost 25 years now, I still encounter moments daily where I feel like a stranger, unable to fully grasp the subtle cultural nuances that come with growing up here. Generally, I don’t mind it. I embrace this feeling with curiosity and amusement rather than discomfort. This sense of being an outsider doesn’t stem from a place of powerlessness or discrimination. However, it has been a constant companion throughout my professional career, whether founding a marketing tech firm in San Francisco without being a trained computer science engineer, becoming the CEO of one of the largest advertising firms in the U.S. without industry roots, or joining a political adjacent role in the Chicago Mayor’s Office without ever having worked in politics or even being around many elected officials.
We all experience being outsiders in some way— whether due to where we were born, how we look, how we speak, our technical knowledge, or any other imaginable dimension. I firmly believe that recognizing our own and others’ experiences of being outsiders is crucial.l It helps us understand our feelings of unfamiliarity and fosters empathy towards others with similar experiences.
My advice? Embrace your “outsider” moments with curiosity and a desire to learn. At the same time, support those around you in their “outsider” experiences. Understanding, respecting, and learning from these moments can enrich us all, making us better colleagues and leaders.
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