The Authenticity Premium
In 2006, before she became a household name, Amy Winehouse taught us something about the marketplace of ideas.
Most artists try to fit in. They study what works, copy it, and hope for acceptance. It's safer that way.
But Winehouse did the opposite. She showed up with a beehive hairdo when everyone else was going straight. She channeled Motown when pop was king. She sang with raw emotion when auto-tune was taking over.
The remarkable thing? Even people who didn't like her music couldn't stop talking about her talent. They recognised something genuine, something real.
That's the authenticity premium at work. When you refuse to sand down your edges, some people will reject you. But those who connect with your truth? They'll stick around. They'll spread the word. They'll defend you.
It's easier than ever to be like everyone else. Which is precisely why being yourself is worth more than ever.
The question isn't whether you can afford to be different. It's whether you can afford not to be.