Welcome to the Stop Sabotaging Your Success podcast, episode one hundred and twenty-nine. I’m your host, Cindy Esliger. This is the podcast focusing on what we can do today to take control of our careers and overcome the inevitable barriers to success that we encounter along the way. 

How often have you stumbled upon bright ideas that you just can’t let go of? These are the brilliant, sometimes startlingly simple insights that arise from the depths of our expertise and experiences. Yet, paradoxically, these are also the ideas that we are most likely to dismiss. Why? Because they come to us with such ease, they feel too obvious to be of any real value. This self-discounting tendency is a common trap for many talented individuals, leading us to overlook our potential contributions because we mistakenly assume that if it’s obvious to us, it must be obvious to everyone. However, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

In this episode, we examine those ideas that come so easily to us, but might be a revelation to others. No two people share the exact same repertoire of experiences, knowledge, and skills. Recognizing this is the first step toward breaking the cycle of underestimating your own ideas. It requires not just a shift in perspective, but a boldness to voice our thoughts. 

Sharing our seemingly obvious insights can be daunting. It challenges us to step into the spotlight of scrutiny and away from the comfortable shadows of conformity. Yet, this act of courage is often what leads to meaningful change, possibly turning what we consider mundane into something monumental. 

Sometimes, our ideas spark a brief flare of brilliance. Yet, more often than not, these ideas are quickly extinguished under the heavy cloak of self-doubt – dismissed as ‘too obvious’ or ‘too simple’. This phenomenon is a testament to the ironic complexity of human cognition. We struggle to recognize the value in our most effortless thoughts, assuming that if it came that easily to us, it couldn’t possibly be of much value to anyone else. 

Those ideas that seem the most apparent to you are often the product of your unique experiences, skills, and innate talents. What’s obvious to you might not even flicker on someone else’s radar. Yet, why do we downplay these insights? Why do we hide these gems with so much hesitation? Part of it stems from the very nature of expertise. 

Experts in any field often fail to recognize how advanced their understanding is compared to the average person. They trivialize their insights because those insights are grounded in skills they’ve internalized over years of practice. 

This misjudgment is a critical misstep because it not only silences potentially groundbreaking ideas; it also stifles personal growth and devalues our own expertise. When you convince yourself that your insights are too basic to share, you’re essentially saying that your perspective – which is shaped by a unique combination of life experiences, ambitions, and learned knowledge – is of little worth. And that is the real tragedy. 

The influence of our backgrounds on our ideas cannot be overstated. Each person’s perspective is a mosaic of every book they’ve read, every conversation they’ve had, every success, and every failure they’ve experienced. This means that even what seems like a straightforward idea to you can be groundbreaking to someone else, whose life experience is made up of completely different encounters. Recognizing this can be both liberating and motivating. It’s your cue to step up and share, not shrink back and silence your thoughts. 

There’s also a certain allure to complexity that can make us our own worst enemy. In many professional and academic circles, there’s a mistaken notion that the more complex an idea, the more valuable it is. This has led to the proliferation of convoluted solutions to problems that could be solved much more simply. Embracing the elegance of straightforward solutions not only makes life easier, but often leads to more robust and sustainable outcomes.

So, how do we overcome this paradox? 

1. Acknowledge that what’s obvious to you is not obvious to everyone. Your ‘simple’ could be someone else’s ‘revolutionary’. 
2. Cultivate an environment, whether at work, at home, or within your social circles, that values and encourages the sharing of ideas, regardless of how trivial they may seem at first glance. 
3. Challenge the desire for complexity. Just because something seems straightforward doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Often, the simplest solutions are the hardest to come by and the most effective. 

We often encounter the classic struggle of recognizing our own brilliant ideas versus the dread of sharing them, chiefly because we’re afraid of what others will think. However, it isn’t just about recognizing our own brilliance; it’s about having the gumption to carve our unique path, breaking away from the status quo or conventional norms that, frankly, could use a little disruption.

Recognizing our own brilliance isn’t merely an exercise in ego-stroking. It’s about genuinely acknowledging that what comes naturally to you might not be so natural for someone else. Think about it. It’s like how you can whip up a spreadsheet to track anything in the time it takes your peers to go get a coffee. That’s not just a skill; it’s your superpower. And these superpowers are meant to be used, and used wisely, to our advantage.

Breaking away from conventional norms sounds like something out of a self-help book. But this isn’t about rejecting norms for the sake of rebellion. It’s about questioning the status quo when it stifles creativity or efficiency. It’s about daring to suggest that maybe, just maybe, the traditional way of doing things could be replaced with something more efficient that uses the advantages that technology provides. This is where the real challenge lies, not just in having unique ideas, but in the courage to voice them amid the pushback of “but we’ve always done it this way”.

Sharing your ideas is like telling a memorable story. It’s not just about what you say; it’s how you say it. Yes, it’s daunting. Yes, it’s easier to stay quiet and blend in. But, it’s pretty hard to make a difference by simply blending in. In a competitive work environment, you need to exert influence to get noticed. Influence doesn’t mean steamrolling over others with what you think is the best way; it means articulating your ideas in a way that even the most change-resistant, crusty colleague can’t help but consider them. And what’s most surprising, the person who is the most resistant to change may not be the one with the most seniority. They span all generations these days. 

This brings us to the art of exerting influence. Influence is less about arm-twisting and more about getting cooperation. It’s about convincing colleagues that the path you see winding through the wilderness leads to treasure, not a trap. It involves a delicate balance of communication, charisma, and yes, a little bit of cunning. Influence is how you make people pause, reflect, and if you’ve played your cards right, nod reluctantly in agreement before they even realize they’ve been won over. 

However, staying true to yourself while adapting to the expectations of others can be a big challenge. It’s like walking a very fine line. The trick is to adapt without losing the essence of who you are. It’s about learning the language of your peers enough to be understood, yet not so much that you start sounding like everyone else. 

Staying true to yourself is not just about stubbornness or pride;. it’s about integrity. It’s about knowing that the ideas and perspectives you bring to the table are valuable precisely because they are yours. Adapting to others’ expectations doesn’t mean morphing into what you think they want. It means presenting your true self in a way that they can understand and appreciate. It’s about showing that your unique approach isn’t just about being different; it’s about making a difference. 

We need more people who can cut through the clutter and say what they mean and why it matters – people who not only think outside the box, but who can explain clearly why we shouldn’t have been thinking inside that box in the first place. 

Sharing your unique ideas amidst the echo chamber of conformity involves a mix of self-awareness, bravery, and a smidgen of strategic charm. It’s about recognizing the brilliance of your own ideas and having the courage to share them, even when they may seem ‘too obvious’ or ‘too simple’. After all, in a world that often overcomplicates things, the person who can offer clarity and simplicity doesn’t just add value, they become invaluable. 

While conforming might seem like the easiest route to comfort and acceptance, it’s ultimately not very satisfying. Sure, you blend in, but at what cost?

But, I admit the desire to blend in is undeniable. It’s like choosing the default settings on your new phone – it works, it’s uncomplicated, and it promises a hassle-free experience. But, when was the last time ordinary got anyone excited? Conforming to what everyone expects is choosing what is safe over standing out and getting noticed. 

Conforming, especially at the expense of our best ideas, is hiding what makes you, well, you. The problem isn’t just about losing your identity in the crowd; it’s about the simmering, slow-burning realization that you could be so much more, if you just let your brilliance shine once in a while. This is the point where comfort turns into complacency. And let me tell you, complacency is a silent dream killer in the corporate world. 

The critical question every professional should ask themselves is not, “How can I fit in?” but rather, “What is the thing that only I can do that people come to me for?”. This question isn’t just about recognizing your strengths; it’s about identifying the very essence of your professional value. It’s about digging deep and finding that unique contribution that you bring to the table, be it your uncanny ability to simplify complex concepts, your knack for seeing trends before they emerge, or your fearless approach to problem-solving. This isn’t about being different simply for the sake of standing out; it’s about embracing the unique blend of skills and perspectives that you, and only you, can offer and demonstrating their value to others. 

Embracing our unique skill set is transformative. Think of it this way: when you play to your strengths and leverage your innate talents, you’re not just working smarter, you’re reshaping your professional landscape. It’s like being handed a blank canvas and choosing to splash it with vibrant colors that tell your story. The result? A masterpiece that can’t help but draw attention and appreciation. 

Now, making your mark often involves breaking away from the status quo. This is where we veer off the conventional path, choosing instead the road less traveled. Offering something distinct in a world that champions conformity requires a blend of courage and self-confidence that not everyone can muster. It’s about standing up in a room full of echoes and daring to sound different.

I’m not going to lie to you. This isn’t easy. It requires not just the courage to be different, but the resilience to withstand the raised eyebrows and the not so subtle whispers of doubt. But here’s the kicker – those who do break away from the norm often find that the rewards outweigh the risks. They’re the ones who inspire change. They’re not just part of the conversation; they are the ones steering it.

The journey from recognizing your own brilliant ideas to sharing them, despite feeling they’re ‘too obvious’, is fraught with challenges. It involves shedding the comfort of conformity and daring to be different. It means asking the tough questions about what only you can offer and having the guts to put those unique offerings on display, and possibly opening yourself up to criticism. That’s never fun. 

This path isn’t for everyone. As you’re probably aware, it’s much easier to conform than it is to attract attention. But for those willing to embrace their uniqueness, the potential to not only achieve personal satisfaction, but also to make a significant professional impact is immense. So, next time you find yourself hesitating to share your ‘obvious’ idea, remember, in a world that often prizes conformity, your unique insights are vital. And frankly, I think it’s time we consider doing more things differently, don’t you? 

Recognizing that what comes easily to us can often be a hard-won insight for someone else can transform how we view the worth of our own ideas. This awareness encourages us to share more freely, knowing that what might seem ‘obvious’ to us could indeed be the key to solving the problem. 

The courage to share our ideas, particularly those that break from the status quo, is fundamental in making meaningful contributions in any field. This involves overcoming the fear of judgment or rejection, and recognizing the potential impact of contributing something new and different. 

Next time you find yourself hesitating to share an idea because it feels too ‘obvious’, stop and reconsider. Give yourself more credit. After all, it’s the obvious insights, those little lightbulb moments that we often overlook, that have the potential to spark real change. It’s high time we start celebrating obvious brilliance instead of sidelining it. Who knows? Your next ‘obvious’ idea might just be the breakthrough someone else has been waiting for. 

And that’s it for this episode of Stop Sabotaging Your Success. Remember to download your Guide to Recognizing Your Obvious Brilliance at cindyesliger.com/podcast, episode one hundred and twenty-nine.

Thank you to our producer, Alex Hochhausen and everyone at Astronomic Audio. Get in touch, I’m on Instagram @cindyesliger and my email address is info@cindyesliger.com.

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, you have to come check out The Confidence Collective. It’s my monthly coaching program where we dig a little deeper into what’s holding you back in your career, and we find the workarounds. We help you overcome the barriers and create the career you want. Join me over at cindyesliger.com/join. I’d love to have you join me in The Confidence Collective. 

Until next week, I’m Cindy Esliger. Thanks for listening.