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Essential Characteristics Unique to Unicorns

In "Be the Unicorn," William Vanderbloemen explores the concept of an individual who is exceptionally skilled, irreplaceable, and uniquely proficient in their particular field of work. The book highlights particular qualities and practices displayed by exceptional individuals, underscoring the fact that these attributes are not inborn but rather can be acquired and cultivated. Vanderbloemen argues that by fostering these traits, an individual can rise above the ordinary and become a sought-after rarity in today's fiercely competitive job market.

Unparalleled Speed and Responsiveness

Vanderbloemen underscores that what sets Unicorns apart is their capacity for rapid action and swift response. It's about cultivating the capacity to quickly identify and understand the opportunities that align with your goals, rather than merely seizing every opportunity that presents itself. Unicorns have the sharp acumen to identify true opportunities and swiftly capitalize on them, ensuring they avoid spending time on trivial distractions.

Quickly Recognizing and Seizing Opportunities

William Vanderbloemen underscores the significance of abandoning an indifferent mindset and actively pursuing opportunities. He elucidates that the inherent dread of embracing risks and confronting the unknown can immobilize us, preventing us from seizing potentially transformative opportunities. William Vanderbloemen inspires his readers to carve out their own distinct path, underscoring that the benefits of making swift decisions are significantly greater than the potential dangers, especially when contrasted with the missed opportunities that stem from hesitancy. Vanderbloemen argues that taking a proactive approach involves developing the ability to quickly determine if the advantages of a given opportunity outweigh its possible risks, instead of seizing every opportunity that comes along.

Vanderbloemen cites Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Toms Shoes, as an exemplary case of what he terms the Rapidly Emerging Unicorn. Mycoskie's string of successful ventures is partly due to his steadfast focus on rapidity and productivity, enabling him to move swiftly from one accomplishment to another. His career trajectory, marked by the rapid expansion of numerous thriving businesses and participation in high-stakes challenges, exemplifies Vanderbloemen's conviction that adopting a "fast" mindset is essential for substantial personal growth and victories.

Keeping a steadfast concentration on the ultimate objective.

To enhance your ability to make swift choices, Vanderbloemen recommends developing the skill to recognize scenarios that necessitate immediate response. A crucial aspect involves assessing a task or opportunity based on its alignment with the ultimate objective. If acting quickly serves the outcome, then act, if not, step aside. Vanderbloemen recounts a story of an experienced board member who observed his reluctance to contact a potential partner across from the church's new property to talk about potentially using their area for worship services while their building was being constructed. Vanderbloemen seized an opportunity following a board member's suggestion, which successfully addressed the congregation's challenge of insufficient space on Sundays. Vanderbloemen's conviction was reinforced by his experiences, which demonstrated that how quickly a person reacts is a strong predictor of their potential for success.

To emphasize the importance of being timely, Vanderbloemen highlights research showing that if potential customers are not contacted within a short five-minute period after expressing interest, their likelihood of remaining engaged diminishes significantly. Vanderbloemen regularly involves his colleagues in an exercise called a "text test" as part of a routine within his company. They evaluate how ready a candidate is to respond quickly by measuring how fast and carefully they reply to a surprise text message sent outside of regular working hours. Vanderbloemen assures that, despite its seemingly fanciful nature, this approach is highly effective at pinpointing individuals who act swiftly.

Developing an attitude focused on urgency and efficiency.

Vanderbloemen advocates for incorporating this sense of urgency in our daily lives by intentionally creating opportunities to practice immediate action. He illustrates this by describing his personal method of maintaining his jogging routine. He asserts that the regularity of his running routine hinges on taking immediate action. He quickly addresses his propensity for procrastination, knowing that if he puts off his run, the part of his brain that craves enjoyment might lead him to completely disregard the task. Ultimately, Vanderbloemen contends that by consistently honing our quickness, we can surmount the inherent inclination of our minds toward negative thinking and delaying tasks, thus positioning ourselves to achieve success through a life centered on tackling obstacles.

Authenticity and transparency are essential.

Vanderbloemen underscores the increasing significance of authenticity in today's world, suggesting that embracing vulnerability and being truly transparent are critical characteristics distinguishing a Unicorn. In today's world, where online images are carefully curated, it is the genuine expression of honesty and the...

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Be the Unicorn Summary Relationship Building

Vanderbloemen underscores the vital role of cultivating strong bonds in all areas of life, pointing out that what sets Unicorns apart is their extraordinary talent for establishing relationships. He emphasizes the significance of genuine personal connections, rooted in empathy and a sincere interest in the well-being of others, in an era characterized by our hyper-connectivity and a multitude of networking channels.

Developing Genuine Connections

Vanderbloemen stresses the significance of nurturing profound relationships with people from varied walks of life, instead of just concentrating on the number or prestige of one's network. You don't need to visit elite establishments such as the Soho House or other spots favored by the wealthy and powerful. Demonstrating kindness, attentiveness, and respect to everyone you interact with is crucial, regardless of how trivial the encounters may appear.

Showing genuine care for other people.

Vanderbloemen advocates for engaging with others through authentic care and purposeful interaction, emphasizing that showing a true concern for people is significantly more impactful than adopting the guise of an insincere networker. In...

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Be the Unicorn Summary Organizational readiness and planning.

Vanderbloemen emphasizes the importance of strategic foresight and readiness, traits that set Unicorns apart, going beyond the conventional Scouts' motto by cultivating a mindset that prioritizes organization, anticipatory planning, and the essential discipline to maintain these attributes.

Meticulous Planning and Goal-Setting

Vanderbloemen emphasizes the necessity of thorough preparedness, underscoring the advantages of steadiness and command, and cites the esteemed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who famously started each season's first practice by instructing players on the proper method of donning their shoes and socks. Even tasks that appear insignificant can influence the overall productivity of a group.

Breaking Down Large Tasks into Achievable Steps

The authors inspire readers to approach substantial, intimidating tasks by breaking them down into smaller, more achievable parts, similar to the strategy employed by UCLA's Coach Wooden when dealing with socks and shoes. By establishing specific objectives and consistently devising strategies for a given project, especially when under significant pressure and as deadlines loom, the project becomes more...

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Be the Unicorn Summary An all-encompassing goal and mentality.

Vanderbloemen underscores the significance of possessing a clear and specific goal that sets Unicorns apart, both in personal lives and within the structure of organizations. He argues that recognizing the significance of one's purpose is crucial for driving motivation, achieving goals, and inspiring others. Vanderbloemen emphasizes the importance of aligning one's personal principles with the collective goals of an organization and stresses the significance of fostering a mindset that embraces obstacles and relentlessly seeks opportunities for ongoing improvement.

Clearly Defined Personal and Professional Purpose

The authors argue that possessing a unique purpose is vital for the success of individuals as well as entities. When the values you hold dear align with your organization's culture, it fosters a feeling of satisfaction, loyalty, and enhanced outcomes for everyone involved. This is illustrated with the example of Zoom's CEO, Eric Yuan, who had spent his career preparing the technology for the world's needs, long before we knew of them. The technology's innate ease of use and affordability, coupled with its capacity to boost efficiency, equipped Yuan and Zoom...

Be the Unicorn

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • "Unicorns" in this context are not mythical creatures but exceptional individuals in the professional world who possess unique skills and qualities that set them apart from others. These individuals are highly sought after for their ability to swiftly recognize and seize opportunities, maintain a focus on their ultimate objectives, demonstrate authenticity and transparency, overcome obstacles with adaptability, and excel in building strong relationships. The term "Unicorns" is used metaphorically to describe individuals who stand out in their fields due to their exceptional traits and approaches to work and life.
  • The text includes anecdotes and stories to exemplify the author's points. These narratives feature individuals like Blake Mycoskie and experiences from William Vanderbloemen's career to provide real-world context for the discussed concepts. Anecdotes like these are used to make the content more relatable and engaging for readers, helping to illustrate the author's ideas in practical scenarios.
  • A Chief Culture Officer is a corporate executive responsible for overseeing and shaping the organizational culture within a company. This role focuses on fostering a positive...

Counterarguments

  • While the text emphasizes speed and responsiveness, it's important to note that haste can sometimes lead to poor decision-making. Quality and thoughtfulness should not be sacrificed for speed.
  • The idea that opportunities should be seized quickly may not always be practical or advisable; some opportunities require careful consideration and due diligence.
  • Authenticity and transparency are indeed valuable, but there may be situations where complete transparency is not possible or appropriate due to privacy concerns or strategic considerations.
  • The concept of using personal mistakes as a catalyst for growth is positive, but it's also important to recognize that some errors can have lasting negative consequences that cannot be easily reframed or overcome.
  • The emphasis on relationship building...

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