The Weird One

The Weird One

John Paul Derryberry

"You are the weirdest director I have ever been around, and I mean that in the best way possible."  I want to report that this is the first time I have heard a statement like this, but that would be a lie. I have heard this at pretty much every stop along my career path. You are the weirdest behavior interventionist; you are the oddest youth counselor and supervisor. The best one is when, after I finish public speaking or storytelling, I get that it was the best, yet weirdest, motivational talk ever. I've had numerous comments over the years; whatever I suspected, coming to an emotional address, I got the exact opposite, in a good way.

I always chuckle at these comments, and they always land on me freshly, like hearing those words all over again for the first time. We have this version in our heads: a leader, a motivational speaker, and someone who has their life together. Yet, I would like to shout across multiple levels, corners, and groups in the world, "lean into the weirdness." Not for the sake of being different for difference sake, but for figuring out how to become comfortable with your authentic self. The things that make us unique, and the parts of our personality that separate us from the crowd, allow us to know we are not one of many, but one of a kind.

A funny thing happened as I moved through life; I embraced my weirdness and did not attempt to be what other leaders were; I stopped pushing people away. I made connections, grew from learning from other people's weirdness, and realized I could be successful differently than others, not in a wrong way or a proper way, but in a way that reveals numerous paths to a successful life and multiple ways to be an effective leader. An passionate intensity, yet a calm we will figure it out demeanor as emerged. It’s a weird combination, but it works for me. The more I embraced it, the more my storytelling and leadership style landed the way I constantly desired it to, in a way that lightens the burdens of others; through laughter, through emotional connection, passion and a long burn intensity. Maybe that’s why some have commented about a goofball becoming so successful.

I often witness many others dimming their uniqueness to fit in and play a part; not their part. Quiet leaders are trying to be loud leaders, and goofy professionals are turning serious to get promotions. Friendly and flexible folks think anger and strictness are the way up the ladder. Not realizing that those unique gifts we somehow do naturally, are the keys to unlocking so much of our lives. It’s why I often times grumble at people when the talk about steps to being successful. If I followed the steps I was told to follow, I don’t end up understanding myself on a deeper level. Growing my passion, compassion, intensity, and pairing that with a calmness led to me unlocking the best version of myself. Leaning into those gifts and embracing those personality quirks are crucial to finding a good life and discovering peace, even if it is a weird kind of inner peace.