Inevitably you will find yourself in a room where no one else is like you. They might not look like you, speak like you, pray or love like you or think like you. Managing to be effective in all contexts is an essential part of your journey towards reaching your full potential and so we asked some brilliant members of the community to share their stories and advice.
Dominique Vicedomine
Expression of unique individuality is a necessary component in standing out. There is certainly a comfort that comes with fitting in but how will that highlight you as the one in a million? People are like snowflakes; there is never one exactly the same as the other. Capitalize on that and use it. Read more>>
Charles J. Martin
Literati Press started in a vacuum in Oklahoma City as a hybrid publishing company working within comics and novels. There were a smattering of other small presses coming in going in the region, and there was certainly a lot of talent in the state at the time, but no one quite like us. It was exciting because we could pave our own road, but it was difficult because mentorship and guidance was hard to come by. Read more>>
Vik JOROH
This is a great question to start. This is something I had to learn to do from the very beginning. Regardless of who is in the room, who is there supporting you, or who is watching you, you need to consistently put out work in order to succeed. Read more>>
Melissa Mercedes
There have been many ways in which i’ve had to over come the feeling like i belong in certain spaces. During those moments I remind to myself I may not bring to the table what the other people do, but I bring what I bring baby! No one can be me. That is my power. I may be in that room BECAUSE i’m not like anyone else and I remember that my input is as valuable as everyone elses. If not more because my point of view is authentic. Read more>>
Peyton McElvy
I feel as though the answer is in the question itself, funny enough; I think being so set apart in a society that loves to be the “popular kids” is what sets one up for success already. The pluses of the situation being I stand out & draw attention, while attracting those who are curious. The difficulties of course are being accepted in some circles, or being able to find compatible support or resources for differing reasons. Read more>>
Richard Bell
This has been my life’s story. I’ve always been the only one in the room, who looked like me even before my injury. What I have learned is that you cannot convince others to change their opinion of you, because a person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still. But you can let the quality of your work speak on your behalf. Read more>>
Marcia Jones
Interesting question. It really doesn’t make sense because it implies being effective/successful is defined by overcoming adversity or that I’ve given other people the power to determine my destiny. It simply isn’t true. I look at it differently. These people who don’t look like me are now blessed because I’m in the room, and I walk with the spirit of God who has been my strength and guide throughout my life, and even more so in this wine journey where many people don’t share my skin shade. Read more>>
Ajeng Canyarasmi
I once watched a TED Talk about being the best version of yourself. One of the interesting points the speaker brought up was she believes everyone was born complete with one true note to sing. Our job is to find that note and sing the best we can – and to me this also rings true in the creative industries. As a female Indonesian filmmaker & sound artist, it would be a difficult task to change myself into someone I am not to fit in. Read more>>
Andrew Longron
The Path to Success When You’re the Only One Like You in the Room In life, there are moments when we find ourselves standing alone in a room, distinct from everyone else. These are the moments that truly define our character and shape our journey toward success. From a young age, I discovered that my aspirations set me apart from the people around me. While those in my immediate surroundings were content with the status quo, I yearned for more, and that desire set me on a unique path to success. Read more>>
Jasmine Highsmith
Being the only one in the room who looks like me is something that I was exposed to at a very early age. In kindergarten I was the tallest in my class. In many of my classes I was the only one with darker skin and in other times I have been the only black woman or woman overall in the room. With each experience I maintained self-confidence and self-awareness. I know that sounds easier than it is to tap into in many cases but knowing who I am, who I’ve always been and standing that has gotten me so far. Read more>>
Yuri Okahana-Benson
This is one of many things that I had to quickly learn after graduating from MFA program, which had some diversity in its student population especially in Scenic Design program that I studied in. Though compared to when I first started working as a professional 10 years ago, I now have developed effective tactics of being successful in such instances where I am on my own, but I am still honing the methods everyday. Read more>>
Darvincia Warren
In a room where I stand alone, I’ve learned to leverage my uniqueness as a strength, embracing diverse perspectives. Being effective involves confident communication, active listening, and fostering connections despite differences. Success lies in showcasing my skills, contributing meaningfully, and inspiring inclusivity. Read more>>
Erica Franks
In the United States, there are only about 4% of physical therapists (PT) that are black. So, most rooms I walk into, no one looks like me. When I walk into a room, I know my self-worth and I am confident, which has helped me. I am just as qualified or more when being compared to others. I went to Howard University and Emory University and have advanced credentials. I have worked hard in my profession, and it shows with my patient care and education with my patients. Read more>>
Mimi Meier
When I first started standup comedy, I realized early on that I was always going to feel a little left out. Not only because I’m the only comic who’s the height of child with an orange bob and glasses, but because I am a women in a field dominated by men wearing flannels talking about how annoying their wives are. At first, Trying to connect to my male comedy colleagues was difficult. I felt like I couldn’t get the comedians to warm up to me and take me seriously as a woman (and a woman wearing polka dots to add a cherry on top). Read more>>
Kjradiant
After being diagnosed with an auto immune disease, I thought that was the worst my troubles would get as far as my looks as I had already gone through so much! My eyes had grown huge my throat was bulging I was losing and gaining weight, so as a model a lot of my pictures started being inconsistent with my size and I took it to heart. And when I had to have two surgeries on my eyes it really hit hard when I felt I wasn’t recovering fast enough or the way that I wanted. Read more>>
David Sahagun
Social constructs lead us to believe that certain opportunities are not meant for us. We are first generation, and only as an adult can I understand my parents’ sacrifices. I struggled with mathematics and sciences in school, facing challenges. It’s essential to note that we are not special; I reject the idea of adopting a mentality of resignation. Read more>>
Victoria Downes
In my role as a small business consultant and advocate for women and entrepreneurs of color, being often the only one in the room with my background has taught me invaluable lessons in effectiveness and resilience. Embracing my uniqueness has been pivotal; my distinct background and perspective often bring fresh insights, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving in a field where these qualities are paramount. Read more>>
Tameya Tarkington
I have been working in Corporate America for over 16 years and through the years have experienced the ebbs and flows of being the only Black woman in the room. Those experiences, both negative and positive, taught me three pivotal ways to ensure I am heard, seen, and successful when I am the minority amongst the majority. Those three lessons are: Do your research- understand the intention behind the meeting, and the key stakeholders attending, and come prepared to speak on your expertise. Read more>>
Pablo Olguin
Over the years, I’ve learned to become more confident in myself and talent by pushing away the voice inside my head that says otherwise. If you don’t believe in yourself, others will always sense it. My biggest challenge is that I am my biggest critic. It is easy to get wrapped up about how I am being perceived, but I have devoted myself to always keep my head held high and articulate my voice so others are comfortable and trust my vision in everything I do. Read more>>
Jasmine Marshall
The funny thing is, that I often find myself standing alone more than accompanied by my peers. I know about being “the only one” all too well. This may be cliche, but you don’t learn how to be successful at being the only one, you just do it. Confidence is only built by growing through the processes. A lot of times in life you take the test first and then learn the lesson. It seems backward but it’s nature. Read more>>
Diane Awdeh
Throughout my journey, I’ve discovered the power of embracing my uniqueness, especially when finding myself as the only one who looks like me and who shares my background. I’ve come to understand that being different is not only valuable but also something to be celebrated. This realization transformed my perspective, encouraging me to embrace my distinctiveness and perceive it as a strength that sets me apart in a positive light. Read more>>
Michelle Wright
This is something that really is an ever evolving skill that I am learning. To be honest, it began at a very young age. In elementary school, I tended to be not just the tallest person in my class, but frequently the only person of color. Now, there were other people of color in my school and in my grade, but because we had class sizes of between 15-20, I was many times the only black person in that class. Read more>>
Annique Arredondo
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me and for this question, as it’s truly an important one. I’ve been to support groups before and in the one I used to attend, one of the main tenants was to share vulnerable experiences, and that even though you might have been nervous to share, you always shared for the other person who needed to hear your story, whether you know they needed your story or not. Read more>>
Christopher Noel
I firmly believe that my presence signifies belonging. When I’m in the room, I bring inherent value without the need to prove myself. Being is enough; it’s a space where I co-create and collaborate with remarkable minds, expanding our horizons together. The journey to this point involved overcoming mental challenges and a few years of growth. Once you’ve conquered your inner battles, the possibilities become limitless. Read more>>
Rolly Garcia
Being the only one in the room who looks like me has taught me to embrace my uniqueness and use it to my advantage. Instead of feeling like an outsider, I see it as an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective and contribute something different to the conversation. I’ve learned to be confident in my ideas and not be afraid to speak up, knowing that diversity of thought is valuable. It’s also made me more adaptable, as I’ve had to navigate different perspectives and find common ground. Ultimately, being the only one who looks like me has taught me to turn what could be a challenge into a strength. Read more>>
Kimberly Parker
Navigating spaces where I’m the only one who looks like me has been a defining aspect of my journey (and a huge catalyst for the things that I am most passionate about), having moved from California to Texas eight years ago. This recurrent experience has shaped my resilience, progressing from survival to thriving, thanks to the guidance of trailblazers and mentors. Read more>>
Iann Doolittle
Well, honestly….. to start I’m generally the only Gay & Dyslexic person in the room 99.9% of the time haha. While this isn’t any sort of petty party I’ve had a lot to overcome in my life, co-workers didn’t take my seriously as a queer person in a management position as if I wasn’t valuable which made my working career difficult to navigate. Even through all the hardships I’ve faced I never gave up to this day, I literally woke up and realized I needed to be in the drivers seat cause no one will ever let me have control over my life. Read more>>
Shuang Wu
Navigating the Western industry as a woman of color with a distinct cultural background certainly presents its challenges, but I’ve learned to rely on my instincts. Even when I find myself as the sole representative of my background, I choose to focus on the positive aspects, embracing my unique perspective as a source of creative expression. Currently, my primary focus is on using graphic design as a means to bridge cultures and convey shared messages on an international scale. Read more>>
Chef Michelle Daniels
The professional Chef arena is dominated by men. Although women are making positive impacts in the industry , women and women of color to be exact have to make a seat at the table. In kitchens and in life, when I have been faced with being the “ only one”, I blend in at first. What I mean is , I take a step back to observe , then at the right moment I introduce myself. Introduce in the sense of showing my knowledge, skill set and courage in a way that is welcoming . You would think because you may be intimidated by the situation that you shy away. Read more>>
Claire (Claire Eisel) Eiz
As a woman that has worked almost exclusively in male-dominated industries (often 90% or more male), I definitely relate to this question. I have definitely encountered people that doubt my abilities as a woman, but I really believe in myself and knew that I was as capable or more so than many of the people around me. So instead of letting things like sexism, doubt from others, or even unfortunately harassment get to me, I keep going and focus on the people that are supportive of me. Read more>>
Jonathan Tatum
Being the only one in a room that looks like me, I am a quiet storm. My work speaks for itsself. Over the years I’ve become more of an introvert so when I walk into a room where my work’s reputation proceeds me, I use that as the raft to carry conversations and start new ones. Read more>>
Bryson JonSteele
As I have grown in life and in the industry, I have learned to be effective even when I may be the only one in the room that looks like me. We are taught in acting classes to ” read the room” so I’ve had to grow with that philosophy quite a bit. As children, we are loud, unaware of what’s going on in situations, and sometimes even sheltered for some of the best reasons. But as we grow older. I feel it’s important to voice your thoughts, when asked. Read more>>
Lyric Amodia
In navigating professional spaces where I often find myself as the only one who looks like me, being a young, black Filipina woman, I’ve learned to embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth. My journey has taught me the importance of resilience and self-confidence. Being young and ambitious in business comes with its own set of obstacles. Read more>>
