If You Are Too Different, You'll be Pecked to Death by the Other Turkeys

Tim ~ good post.  Actually there is a difference in the "nail that stands out" and the "tall poppy syndrome.  The point of difference being the nail is about conformity.  In Japan it is customary NOT to stand out.  They WANT everyone to be the same. 

The Tall Poppy syndrome stems from the history of Australia coming from the prisons.  When newcomers arrived, they felt and acted better than the original residents because they weren't from the prisons of England.  They were "cut down" for their superior behavior.  That syndrome was carried forth over the years to include anyone who is rich, famous or acting superior. The Aussies/Kiwis don't like it, so they strike out at the offender.  It also works in reverse, when someone thinks they are being discriminated against they accuse others of having the Tall Poppy Syndrome towards them.

The Tall poppy syndrome is alive and well here in the U.S. we just don't call it that.  I believe we as Realtors offend the consumer with our haughty ways, bragging about our Awards, driving expensive cars etc.  While that maybe important to some, it also can work against us. 

I haven't read your "Good to Great" suggestion, but Suzanne's intro about "small incremental differences" makes sense to me.  It doesn't take much to stand out in the crowd, show up, do what you say your are going to do and think of others first.  Giving or doing 10% more is eons better than the rest of the flock.

kk

I think we should be ourselves. Having said that, if 'being yourself' means bragging about how wonderful you are, then that tells me too things. People (potential clients) will find you tiresome and 2) you may not really believe your own PR, otherwise you wouldn't have to say it LOL

Otherwise, I say be yourself in a good way and people who appreciate those qualities will flock to you. Hopefully not like turkeys lol 

Tim ~ I need to ask, did you just call us all Turkeys?  Does that include you?

kk

Kristal Invited me over to take a peek.

I have two thoughts:

1) It depends what you are standing tall about.  If it is Lender Fraud, or Consumer Fraud or other very important issues to our industry.  I say STAND TALL and take the beating.

2) Carole...who is my friend, is correct EXCEPT

Here where I am, people expect you to show your credentials of WHY they should listen to you, before the will consider listening to you.  And so you toot your horn and then talk...which is the method I used here in AR because it is expected where I am by consumers.  In other words, they say I don't want to listen to one word, until I first know that you are worth listening to...OK... you are Top in Country by some third party unsolicted standard...You were selected by 3rd party sources to blog for them and have received x accolades...OK, now I will tune it to what you are saying.

So Tooting your own horn upon entry to the room mey be the expectation, IF you are going to give advices.  An advancement of society based on no-nothings trying to sell them something...I expect.  Whatever the reason, that is the local standard here.  Somewhat opposite your perception of the correct way to proceed.

Hi Tim,

I like  you more and more everytime I read one of your Blogs!  You made me laugh really hard with this one!  What a hoot you are! 

Keep em' comin' because we all need laughter and that includes laughing at ourselves.

Lisa

I think that to be a Realtor you have to be a little strange or just plain crazy.  We spend long hours and lots of money to get started in the business and to market ourselves.  We have no guarantee of ever making any money.  That is not something normal people do.

good article (blog)!  Interesting that you say you worked on a turkey farm...my parents owned a turkey farm for many years...LOL