“You’re making a fool of yourself.” That’s what he said about my fedora. Or more specifically, about my wearing a fedora.

This from a person a generation older, someone I respected and had known a long time.

He didn’t get it, as many don’t from one generation to the next. He didn’t get it, as people who prefer conformity often don’t. And that’s ok. I get it, and I make my choices based on my own principles, goals, and standards. I carve my own path. Not everyone will get it, and I’m ok with that. Professionally too, we have to make our own way to get to the places we want to go.

This is true for anyone looking to do great marketing or innovation. People won’t get it. It won’t make sense because you are doing something no one else does. We do things no one else does to get results no one else gets. But they can’t see that. They just see different and think it’s bad.

Different isn’t bad. Different is different. And different gets different results.

Being innovative often requires making a fool of yourself. At least, that’s what people will think at first. Then, once results start rolling in, the chatter will stop, and respect will ensue.

So be you. Be different. Do things differently.

Make decisions based on your identity and own it.