LEAD, CREATE & PRESENT.

In a world that claims to celebrate uniqueness, we’ve somehow ended up worshipping sameness. Originality used to be a goal — now it’s just a TikTok trend waiting to be flattened into a format.

We’re stuck in a loop of follow, like, share, instead of lead, create, present.
And yeah — it’s weird.

There’s a strange comfort in being part of the crowd. Sharing what’s already viral. Echoing what’s already popular. But that’s not where momentum comes from. That’s not where brands are built, businesses transformed or ideas taken seriously.

You don’t make a dent by resharing someone else’s content.
You do it by showing up with something that didn’t exist yesterday.

It’s OK if not everyone loves your idea.

It stings when someone critiques your thinking — or comes back with a sharper, simpler version of your idea. But that’s not a threat. That’s the process. In fact, that’s the point.

Smart thinking gets sharper in the open. Creativity thrives in friction. When you present something, you’re not just looking for applause — you’re stress-testing it, sharpening it, making it better.

Being challenged doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re in it.
And by the way — critique from someone with zero skin in the game? No big deal.
But feedback from someone who gets it? That’s gold.

We need to lead more. And fear less.

There’s this tired argument that the old rules of business no longer apply because “everything’s changed.” But let’s not confuse tools with truths.

The problems we face haven’t really changed.
What has changed is the toolbox.
Data, platforms, automation — all evolving daily.
But growth, differentiation, brand preference, human attention — still the same old mountain to climb.

We’re in a golden age of possibility, but the instinct to follow the herd is stronger than ever.

Why? Because following is safe.
Leading is vulnerable.
Creating is exposing.
Presenting is risky.

If you’re scared of rejection, stay quiet.

If you want traction, speak up.

Putting your idea out there means opening yourself to criticism. But that’s where it gets interesting. Not all reactions are equal. Some are noise. Some are fuel.

Don’t let the algorithmic popularity contest distract you from real progress. One sharp, honest perspective is more valuable than a thousand thumbs-up. And no — presenting a half-baked idea won’t magically turn it into gold. But if you’ve done your thinking, and put real intelligence behind it? Then the room — the right room — will respond.

Dreaming’s not dead. It’s just outsourced.

We’ve become passive observers of ambition. We scroll, double-tap, admire.
Other people’s launches. Other people’s side hustles. Other people’s brave decisions.

It’s easier to cheer from the sidelines than to step into the pitch.
Easier to curate someone else’s journey than to chart your own.

But if this keeps going, we risk turning the majority of the population into highly qualified assistants for the bold few who still do. Nannies, drivers, schedulers, gardeners to the ones who dared to chase something.

Here’s the better idea:

• Be the one who starts things.

• Present what you’ve made.

• Take the feedback seriously — not personally.

• And keep going.

Because intelligent ideas that get results don’t come from followers.
They come from the ones who step up.

SHA is a strategic advertising agency, creating brand strategy, advertising, design for print and content for web and social. If you want to know more, get in touch with nigelh@sha-agency.com or visit our contacts page.

“The opinions in this article are that of the author alone and in no way, reflect the opinions or viewpoint of the agency. Unless of course we happen to agree with those opinions completely, in which case they might, but otherwise they don’t”