Psychologists tell us that in order to fit in and succeed in the world, we need a strong identity and a sense of self that produces esteem and confidence. That is all true, but beware the downside. If you are not careful, you can begin to judge others using your own sense of self as a zero-point from which to determine if they are good or bad, okay or odd, and acceptable or unacceptable.

Since childhood, I regarded China as a strange, fascinating, almost mythical place. Then, one day, there I was, smack dab in the middle of Beijing and Shanghai, doing business. I was surrounded by a billion people with peculiar languages, thinking, cuisine, culture and more.

Far from home, I quickly came to a remarkable discovery: It is not the Chinese who are peculiar—I am! With weird sounding accent, highly developed skin and odd shaped eyes, I stand six feet two inches tall, like an aberration against the landscape. And like a coconut tree in vegetable patch, I’m given to think the vegetables strange!

You, strong leader and confident adult, with all your unique preferences, thoughts and personality, are in fact, the peculiar one . . . not like the others. On the one hand, relish and leverage your uniqueness; on the other hand, be patient, accommodating and accepting of others who are not like you. This is a sure pathway to fit into the world and find success.

QUESTION:

What happens when you encounter thinking, behaviors and lifestyles that violate your own worldview and sense of propriety, do you simply accept them for the sake of openness? Is this the pathway to success?

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