Be DSDNT; Be You

Do not underestimate the importance of being Dissident… not dissident as in someone who is always contrary to others, one who blocks ideas or is consistently a naysayer. Being Dissident is about being willing to take on an unorthodox or opposing position because you genuinely believe in it and care about the outcome as much as those they are opposing. It’s about going against the grain for a belief, standard or conviction that is true to who you are.

Being Dissident isn’t even about you. It is about good leadership and encouraging others to  engage in a good degree of dissident thinking. The best leaders bring into their inner circle people who were prepared to say “no” to them. The worst ones pretend they welcome critical thinking but, in every possible way, deny any other level of thinking that is not aligned with their own.

You also can’t underestimate the courage it takes to be a Dissident. To tell the Emperor he isn’t wearing any clothes, means you must have courage… you must be dissident when no one else is willing to speak the truth.

With trust, respect and confidence, dissidence can result in productive, creative and innovative thinking.

Be You

To “Be You”, means be true to your core identity rather than faking a different one because you think it will be attractive to others. Take it one step further and you should try to the best "you" that you can be and push yourself to excel and exceed.

Spend some time thinking about who “YOU” are, and decide whether you are living up to your best idea of who you want to be; work on it if you're not. Over time as you consistently pursue the values and characteristics that are “you”, you'll be ready to show that "you" to other people, and you'll do it with honesty and authentically. The work you do, the decisions you make and people with whom you associate will all be authentic reflections of who you.

Challenges and conflict are much easier to address and resolve because no conflict or issue can alter who you are. Your resolutions will always represent your values and you will always feel good about that.

Most bitter people are not being true to themselves. Somewhere along the way, they took a wrong turn and they took out their disappointment on others. At some point you will face a decision, perspective or challenge where someone else will criticize you, doubt you and question you. In order to be yourself, you won’t engage with the doubters nor will you even entertain the idea that they may be right… because you know they are not.

The last thing you want is to be bitter, but the second-last thing you want is regret. To avoid regret, you have to make active decisions. I thinkmoving forward is better than remaining stationary. And I also think you have to show people you care about them—merelythinking nice things doesn’t help anyone.

In the long-run, you know you’re capable of being the best you possible. You know you’re capable of taking the risk because you know being yourself is a sure thing. Even if some people don’t understand or accept you, you will Be Dissident and creatively pursue the life and work you’ve always wanted and Be You!