Why I Refuse to Play by the Industry Rulebook

Mental Health

Sound counterintuitive? Maybe.

But here’s the deal: ditching the so-called industry rules didn’t just separate me from the crowd—it redefined how I show up as a speaker and leader. And guess what? It can do the same for you.

When I first stepped into professional speaking in 2012, mental health and leadership weren’t exactly hot topics on the stage. But as the years went by, the speaking world expanded, and so did the noise of countless voices sharing similar ideas.

And I knew one thing for sure: I never wanted to be the speaker people forgot because I sounded just like everyone else. If you’ve heard one, you’ve heard them all, right?

That’s not me. And that’s definitely not how I roll.

Breaking Free from the Same Old, Same Old

I made a conscious decision from the beginning: I wouldn’t settle for blending in. I wasn’t going to dilute my message or parrot the same language others were using.

Instead, I chose to carve my own path. I stopped following other thought leaders in my industry and decided to tune out the trends—not because I didn’t respect them—but because I knew that constantly watching others would limit my ability to stretch myself creatively.

When you’re overly focused on what others are doing, you risk becoming a carbon copy of your competition. And who wants to be a duplicate when you can be an original?

The Fine Line Between Watching and Leading

There’s a big difference between staying informed and getting lost in the noise. While it’s easy to get caught up in the movements of others, the real power lies in observing with intention.

The goal isn’t to mimic—it’s to find the gaps, unmet needs, and opportunities to offer something fresh and innovative.

So, here’s what I do instead:

I stay curious, but I use research intelligence to guide my decisions.

What Research Intelligence Doesn’t Mean

❌ Copying others.
❌ Mimicking their style or message.
❌ Judging my success based on their metrics.
❌ Complaining about what’s trendy.
❌ Putting others down to lift myself up.

What Research Intelligence Does Mean

✔️ Spotting gaps in the market.
✔️ Identifying needs that no one else is addressing.
✔️ Developing creative, out-of-the-box solutions.
✔️ Taking what’s expected in my field and flipping it on its head.

This isn’t about following the rules—it’s about rewriting them.

Why This Works

The best communicators, speakers, and leaders don’t just deliver ideas—they challenge the status quo. They introduce twists no one saw coming. They disrupt the narrative and make people think differently.

That’s how you break free from “status quo success” and escape the monotony of doing what everyone else does. It’s also how you develop an intriguing, insightful, and impossible-to-ignore voice.

When you dare to innovate, you rise above the noise.

Your Turn: Take the Creative Challenge

So, here’s my question: How are YOU shaking up the status quo in your industry or niche?

Drop your ideas in the comments 👇🏾 and let me know how you’re challenging the norms, spotting opportunities, and crafting solutions that stand out.

Because here’s the truth: the most fulfilled and successful leaders don’t just follow the crowd—they create something others can’t ignore.

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