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.
Jesus Luviano
Being the only one in the room that looked like me taught me to see my difference as an advantage, not a barrier. My background in competitive dance, classical ballet, and large-scale production gave me a perspective no one else had. Read More>>
Brittany Friedman, Ph.D.
When I am the only one in the room that looks like me, I remind myself that my presence is a gift to be offered and not a gap to be filled. Read More>>
Valentin Garcia
Being the only one in the room has taught me how to turn difference into an advantage. Early on, walking into spaces where no one looked like me forced me to build confidence from the inside out. I couldn’t rely on familiarity or validation, so I learned to rely on preparation, storytelling, and the value I bring. Read More>>
Ena Valiente
I listen more than I speak. People put weight on your words.So I make sure that i’m speaking with value.I’m speaking with optimism, encouragement and also but most importantly knowledge.. I only speak on what I know. Read More>>
Claudia Grimm
What a brilliant question. I’ve been in many rooms where I should have felt awkward or out of place, but I attribute my effectiveness to two things: 1. Practicing being uncomfortable 2. Read More>>
Sooa Lim
If we look at a certain aspect, this reflects my reality. After graduate school, I began my career at a US auction house, where I am the only Asian woman in the room. I take pride in that distinctness. Internally, being the ‘only one’ has shaped my confidence rather than challenged it. I learned to turn what could feel like isolation into clarity of perspective. Read More>>
Malcolm Sharkey
The first important thing to know is to just be yourself, but not just you. The best version of yourself while being a good person. Only one of you exist , no one else is like you. This allowed me to develop my own style and signature look by combining what I love about fashion and different eras. Read More>>
Kevin Corte
I think it took a lot of self reflection and building confidence in my own uniqueness. Read More>>
Ashley Adams
I’ve learned to turn being the only one in the room into a strength, not a setback. Early in my career, walking into spaces where no one looked like me used to feel intimidating but over time, I realized it was also evidence that I belonged in places my community hadn’t always had access to. Instead of shrinking, I started standing taller. Read More>>
Christiano Mejias
Being the only one in the room has taught me a lot about confidence, awareness, and purpose. At first, it can feel isolating, but I learned to shift my mindset: instead of seeing it as a disadvantage, I treat it as an opportunity to bring a perspective no one else has. I’ve learned to be effective by grounding myself in preparation and self-belief. Read More>>
Keithan Jones
In my many years of being an artist for various industries, I’ve learned that the best way to stand out among the competition is to simply be yourself. Be professional but maintain your identity and personal style whatever that may be. It gives you authenticity in a world were things have become very artificial and bland. Read More>>
Janice Cahambing
As a Filipino who moved to the United States at a very young age, fresh out of college, I often found myself in spaces where I was the only person of color, I had to learn early on how to navigate environments where I didn’t always see myself represented. What helped me succeed was embracing my identity rather than shrinking it. Read More>>
