MAIN IDEA
There's never been a better time than right now to build an audience for your ideas or for your products. The platforms and tools that are available (especially social media) are impressive and low cost or free. However, that also means it's harder than ever to stand out from the crowd.
The key to standing out is to use your authentic voice to create a body of work you're proud of. The more authentic your work is, the greater the impact you will have with the right audience. You'll also derive greater personal satisfaction from generating work you're proud of and which speaks for you rather than trying to merely clone what everyone else is already doing.
To stand out, stand for what you really believe and make it known. Project your genuine views, values, hopes and ambitions. That's the only way you will ultimately end up producing something you're proud of in the years ahead.
"While your work speaks about you, does it really speak for you? Does it represent you well? The key to making your work resonate is to uncover, develop, and then bravely use your authentic voice. Whether you are a writer, a consultant, an entrepreneur, an engineer, a manager, or an artist, developing your authentic voice should be a top priority if you are serious about crafting a body of work that will stand the test of time. Work, then, becomes about more than checking off tasks and pushing through projects. Instead, it is a means to carve a place in the world and create value that lasts. It becomes a means of genuine expression and a standing testament to your efforts."
– Todd Henry
TODD HENRY is the founder of Accidental Creative, a consulting company which helps creative people and teams be productive and do brilliant work. He previously founded Idea Traction, a company which developed web-based tools for creative teams. He is also the author two books The Accidental Creative and Die Empty. Todd Henry is a graduate of Miami University.
The Web site for this book is at www.toddhenry.com/louderthanwords.
This is a summary and not a critique or a review of the book. It does not offer judgment or opinion on the content of the book. This summary may not be organized chapter-wise but is an overview of the main ideas, view points and arguments from the book as a whole. This means that the organization of this summary is not a representation of the book.
To cultivate your authentic voice, you've got to do things which resonate with your personal values. To achieve that, you have to clearly understand what you care about and then find practical ways to infuse your work with material which showcases the best of who you are. When you do that, your voice comes through and will resonate in a unique way with your audience. When that happens, you can unleash brilliance.
Whether you realize it or not, your work always tells tales. It signals what you personally value and what you consider to be worthy of your time and energy. "Voice" can be defined as "the expression of an idea you make through a medium or on a platform in order to achieve a desired outcome or have the intended impact". Over time, your collective body of work, as communicated through your voice, represents you, your style, your values and your intentions.
To cultivate an authentic voice, you have to develop its three elements: