How many times have you had a client or potential client say something that just strikes you as flat out wrong? How many times have they wasted your time? Have you ever wanted to call them out for it? I certainly know I have, and that’s why I do it all the time. Here’s why.
In life, the angry and the dissatisfied are the ones who ultimately run the show. They’re the leaders. Just look at someone like Steve Jobs. He was a complete and total asshole, and yet everyone respected him. Better yet, they downright feared him. His power over that organization, his unwillingness to settle for whatever was put in front of him, led Apple to create some of the best devices this world has ever seen.
I’m not so sure I agree with all this “professionalism” crap you keep hearing career experts spouting all the time. Maybe professionalism works for professionals, but I want to be more than that. I want to be a leader, and leaders are almost always total assholes when they need to be. They could give a rip about “professionalism.” Why? Because they’re the leaders. They get to do what they want.
Just look at a show like Shark Tank with Kevin ‘O Leary. I love that guy because he says exactly what’s on his mind, and he never apologizes for it. One time, a contestant appeared on the show, Kevin verbally ripped her business plan to shreds in mere seconds, and then she thanked him for his time. Kevin’s response was, “what are you thanking me for?”
When people waste your time, don’t thank them for it. Show them your anger. They just wasted your time. What are you going to do about it?
Oh, I can just see all the career experts circling up above. Here’s my advice to them. You’re career experts because you didn’t have the chutzpah to actually lead. So now you dole out advice on how to stay stuck in the same rat race everyone else is in. Those who can’t do teach. If you don’t do something to stand out of the crowd right now, you’ll be forgotten.
The world remembers people like Steve Jobs because he had the courage to offend.
And guess what, some of those people you insulted come right back to you with job offers. Why? Because they can see your passion. When you really know how to argue a point, to show them why you’re right, you are demonstrating the skills of a true leader. Sure, some of them will get really angry and walk away. They might even cry to their mommy and try to bring in Big Brother shut you down. But do you really need people like that in your life?
Get mad. Say what you feel. The world needs more of it. That’s the first step to being a real leader.