I can actually see myself outside of myself. Can you?

Make 2024 the year you know exactly what is unique about you.

We live in a world that appreciates and expects individual differences in appearance and behavior. So, when we encounter two identical individuals (like Lorrie Lee and me), this experience challenges our beliefs about the way that the world works. Of course, identical twins are never exactly alike, and some differ in profound ways. Yet we can’t stop ourselves from comparing them and trying to find the differences that help us to tell them apart.

By taking a closer look at twins, we can learn a great deal about the concept of differentiation. By looking past what’s just intriguing, we can learn about how we perceive differences in anyone or anything. When I look at my twin, I can experience how others view me—and actually see me from outside of myself.

DISCOVERING EXACTLY HOW YOU ARE DIFFERENT IS YOUR CHALLENGE.

I’ve learned firsthand to identify and appreciate what makes us different. There are physical differences and there are inner differences—one of us is a left-brain thinker and one is a right-brain thinker. One is creative and expressive, the other is rational and linear. But it’s the pairing and integration of these different qualities that makes our brand agency, TwinEngine, a Certified B Corp, what it is. It’s our distinct advantage: right brain, left brain, creative and analytic. And when the two work together as one, the whole is greater than the individual parts. From firsthand experience at refining our individuality throughout our lives, we’ve perfected the ability to perceive distinct differences in other thought leaders, other companies and other brands.

Identifying the characteristics that distinguish you from anyone else has never been more essential for standing out than today. The global mediascape has drawn events and people into international focus. With expanded exposure comes expanded challenges and opportunities.

If a person, and especially a thought leader, does not tell his or her own story, someone else will tell it for them.

In the process of standing out, you learn to define and communicate your purpose (who you are) and what you stand for. And you make your purpose a focus of your communications and continued growth (what you do). Next you explore your brand personality to find out which parts best represent the strengths and memorable qualities of the main character of your brand story (your story). All these steps can establish and direct how your company and you as a leader, can get noticed, remembered and distinguished in the social and cultural environment of today. 

What characteristic is unique to you that you can leverage to promote your brand to stand out?

Stand out in 2024 as a stand out brand and the thought leader you are meant to be.