I posted this photo on my social media accounts recently. It's a purple maple leaf. This photo is not color corrected; the color is how I saw it when I took the photo in Northern Minnesota in 2004. The caption I put with the photo talked about how going outside of the norm will get you noticed. It won't appeal to everyone, but some viewers will appreciate it.
As I looked at the photo again, Respecting it, I thought of several Seth Godin posts about having your product and service madly serve a niche where customers are delighted. He talked about that space being where the fun is and where real impact on that subset of customers can happen. That unique impact cascades to others that buy into that special nature.
Seth also talked about how many organizations lose their uniqueness when they try to be more to more people so they can grow and make more money. Their passion for being unique wanes.
I thought about this in terms of leadership and the coaching I do with them through the Four Fundamental Forces of Leadership. This philosophy, obviously, is not a mainstream concept when it comes to management practice. Much like this purple leaf, it fills a niche. It's not appreciated by all because it doesn't conform. However, for those that truly recognize that a leadership is about relationships and building a culture that leverages the humanity in each of us, the ideas can have a large impact on them...and those they lead.
People led by unique, special leaders cascade those learnings to others, bringing a new wave of innovation. Of course, this special leadership may end up at at risk of being watered down by the status quo of what 'everyone else' wants and expects.
So, ask yourself if you are a unique leader with different colors that impacts people in a special way. If you aren't, are you ready to move ahead on such a journey of exploration? If so, you are in for a fun ride.