The Left-Siders

The world is a bell curve.  Class room test scores, employee performance in a company or how many people really, really like you. No matter the population you're studying, they always fit neatly across the standard deviations of the famous bell curve. The most important thing about the bell curve is that it is always balanced.  If there are high performers on one side, there are low performers on the other.  It is always balanced.  Which brings me to the topic of this blog: the insane. 

If we look at our population at large, we know that there are some that don't seem to fit well within the majority...in the middle of the curve. On the one side are the ones who end up in jail, in asylums or simply as outcasts.  We know that this population exists, then what's on the other side to balance them off?

There are, in fact, two groups of society's misfits.

The first group, from the right side of the curve, are the socially dysfunctional misfits. These are the groups I just mentioned. They don't seem to live on the same planet as everyone else.  They see things the most others can't. Worse, they lack the ability to interact in normal society. Which is why we push them to the side and point at them.

On the left side of the curve is another group of misfits. Like their brothers and sisters from across the curve, they also seem to live on another planet. They also see things most others can't. However, they are able to live what appear to be normal lives - i.e. they are socially functional.  But don't be fooled. They are still misfits.

If you see things others can't and you're from the right side of the curve, they call you insane.  If you see things others can't and you're from the left side, they call you a visionary.  If you march to the beat of your own drum from the right side, they call you an outcast.  If you march to the beat of your own drum from the left side, they call you unique or authentic.

The left-siders live among us, but they are not always easy to spot. You may have interacted with one at work once or twice. When they are young in their careers, we walk out of meetings with them and think they are weirdos.  When they are advanced in their careers, we walk out of meetings with them and think they are geniuses.

This blog is for the left-siders out there.  You know who you are. The worst part about being a left sider is that it's lonely.  There are not that many out there, the majority - the middle of the bell - don't understand you. They can't see what you see.  They can't imagine the world you can.

I have one word of advice for all of you - don't stop.  Don't quit.  Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can't see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It's the one that makes the sweetest sound.  And most importantly, when you meet other left-siders, give them a wink, let them know you know...and help them out when they need it.

The only way the left-siders change the world is when they band together to help each other.

If you suspect you're a left-sider, find another left-sider and tell them the world you imagine. They may know someone who can help you build it.

If you suspect you know someone who is a left-sider, stay close to them, protect them and help them. Often, they are their own worst enemies. They can get in their own way and, if they can't clearly communicate the things they can see, others will fear them or ostracize them. The reason to help them, however, is that they are the ones who lead us into the future. They are the ones who change the world.

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Comments

[Janet Burton]

I really needed this blog today! Yes, being a leftie can definitely be lonely. I was consistently told I would never rise to the top in my career because "I wasn't a water cooler person." But I did rise and never gave up on my beliefs that I didn't have to march to the same beat as others. This year finding many "virtual" communities of lefties has been so great. Viva the lefties!

[Traci Ruble, Psychotherapist]

This is an older post but MAN did I find this serendipitously on a day where I quite literally felt the heartache of not being understood and the loneliness. I said, "Man I look like quite vanilla but nothing about what I believe about how we live life is vanilla and it is lonely. I don't mother vanilla, I don't do therapy vanilla and I certainly don't do work vanilla." Will be reading your book on vacation. If you want to see my NON vanilla project where we are getting therapists to sit out on city streets to listen out there in the public check us out. www.sidewalktalksf.com - this project has brought so much meaning and made me take some of my own medicine around listening.

[allenseto]

I really enjoyed reading this blog post this morning. I don't know how...but reading Simon Sinek's words always seem to come at the right time....just when I need them. Awesome!

[Alex]

This is a repost from 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20111005020618/http://blog.startwithwhy.com/refocus/2010/04/the-weirdos.html

Still good though.

[Maelorin]

Question: how does someone figure out whether they are right- or -left-sided?

[Account Deleted]

Your bell curve is flat. I pd like to add in your theory...the bell curve should be seen as 3d like the real bell and a lot hypothesis can be derived:
1. That the misfits and the left siders can actually swing from both end if not having almost the same cahracter. Which will eventually bring out an idea that yes they can interchange.
2. If its 3d model then we are missing alot more in betweens.
3. Etc...i want to personally meet you and or invite you to talk in the philippines.

[A Facebook User]

I can relate to this article! I found lots of money just two steps past the path of least resistance. I use the rooftop method and make rain drops move from side to side with basic selling steps therefore amassing more water. LOL. Nobody knows what I'm talking about but I'm enjoying immediate, grand results! Great job!

[JJ]

I'd love to join a call

[[email protected]]

Please count me in.

[Deena]

Thanks Simon! Fellow leftsider here... I heard you speak awhile back and it was very refreshing to hear someone else who understands the world as I do. Always nice to know you're not alone. Keep up the good work.

[Robin]

Hey..for all you left-siders out there: hang on, and dont let the world make you because you can make the world...i just got incredible lucky..i have got 6 realy close friends and all are left-siders..first we where ignord, but now we are united and we dont care about the trashing oppinions of others(but we dont ignore them, because they have oppinions and dreams to realise), because we are all alone in our heads, and when the curtain goes down its just you and your visions, so follow your hart...because that is what distincs you from the rest of the world.

Greetz,
Robin

[ERICA DINERO KELLEY]

Simon, my boss told a group of people today that "Erica marches to the beat of her own drum" and today I read this. All my life I've been told, "You're different". I used to have a problem with it, because as a adolescent and teen-ager I wanted to be a part of group not apart from the group. But as I grew I begin to realize my gift of teetering on the line of insane and genius - I've accepted and have tapped into my potential... but you're right, it is a lonely world, people still don't understand me...but I'm okay with that.

Thank you for this post! Thank you!

EdK

[web developer]

I think a unique domain would be beneficial in the sense that it may spark interest as a new site.

[Martin Layton]

It is interesting how many people identify themselves as 'left-siders', or at least aspire to be thought of this way.

I am more interested in your description of those on the opposite, right hand side of the curve. I can recognise no 'genius' who would so readily label them as 'socially dysfunctional misfits' who would feel no pain when they are pushed 'to the side' and ridiculed. To deny their humanity is to diminish your own.

The best of humanity has always identified with the poorest, most vulnerable, most oppressed. The Buddha, The writers of The Upanishads, Jesus, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and those like them. These represent the best of us.

[Lance Lovelady]

Simon how do you convert you being a left-sider person's ability and dream into a reality of a successful business or career path?

As with anything that is being built at some point traction is required to propel for dynamic movement and to build momentum. How do you ensure this success? Just working at something isn't enough. Sometimes being lazy does you better than working hard as you have to be smarter, different or innovative.

[Nate Larmore]

Just found your left-side blog today, Simon. It's great to hear that I'm not insane! :) And great to see you're bringing us misfits together. Thanks!

[Ncedo]

I love what u wrote.it makes sense to me. The dreams the visions and the resolve. Count me in. Keep in touch.Ncedo

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That is a proper way to educate students, not the conventional way.

[Burdette Pombier]

It makes me smile every time I think of deviating from the heard of cattle roaming around in the rat race! I cant thank you enough for giving me an even bigger grin!! Thanks Simon

[Dieter]

Love your work Simon. Sometimes it's hard for those around you to relate to you in what you think. Sometimes it's harder for them to relate, when what you've said to them comes true. Go figger ;)

[Account Deleted]

Thanks for the post, reminded me a couple important things about myself and others.
Very perceptive and thoughtful, thanks again.

[Yurigomezr]

Listen to the beat of your own drum and see the greatest purpose inside it, becomes in something amazing.

Regards...