Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like you didn’t belong? Weren’t quite up to par?
‘Cause I sure have.
More often than not, if I’m honest.
As the weird British family in our school and neighbourhood growing up.
As the “Canadian cousins” when we visited the UK.
As a guy in the business faculty who cared about poetry.
Then (after I switched), as a guy in the English department who cared about marketing.
And always, as the only straight, white, Canadian male who doesn’t give a single, solitary fig about hockey.
It all changed when Kayte and I moved to Japan to teach English.
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Finally, I felt AND looked like an outsider. (Ahem ☝️ )
But more importantly, I was valued as an outsider. And not just subconsciously or in a “when you think about it” kind of way. Actually valued. Monetarily compensated.
People paid a premium to learn English from a native speaker. From an outsider.
In many ways, it was the first time I felt like I fit in.
And the lesson has stuck with me. In fact, I’ve essentially made a career out of it—bringing a skilled outside perspective to people who need it.
This is the value of a business service provider or consultant: your thing, but through my eyes.
So if you start to feel like an imposter because you aren’t part of the group you serve, remember that it’s by design.
Your value lies in your otherness.
Alone together,
James
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