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The brutal reality of success

The world is a cruel, uneven playing field. If you're still clinging to the fantasy that hard work alone is enough to guarantee success, it's time for a wake-up call.

The truth is, life is stacked with unfair advantages, and the difference between those who win and those who don’t isn’t just effort—it’s how you exploit those advantages.

Consider the concept of social intelligence. Some people are naturally charismatic, effortlessly able to read a room, connect with others, and sway opinions.

It's not something you can gain simply by reading books or attending seminars. It's an innate skill, a tool in their arsenal that most people don’t have. Maybe you lack that charm, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless.

What you lack in social intelligence, you might make up for in something else. Perhaps your unfair advantage lies in your ability to think critically, to dissect problems with ruthless precision and to find solutions where others see only roadblocks. Or maybe it’s your resilience—the ability to take hit after hit without crumbling, to stand back up when most people would have stayed down.

This is where the concept of the “unfair advantage” comes into play. Coined by Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba in their book The Unfair Advantage, they argue that everyone has something that gives them an edge, even in an unfair world. Their hybrid ‘reality-growth mindset’ challenges the traditional growth mindset by injecting a dose of realism.

Yes, the world is unfair.

Yes, some people are born with advantages you’ll never have.

But instead of whining about it, recognize your limitations, and more importantly, realize that these limitations are often more flexible than you think.

The world doesn’t owe you anything, but it does offer you a choice: utilize your unfair advantage, or watch someone else use theirs to leave you in the dust.

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How high achievers harness their hidden advantages

Look at the people who’ve made it big—whether in business, entertainment, or any other field—and you’ll notice one thing in common: they all knew how to leverage their unfair advantage.

Take Elon Musk, for example. Musk wasn’t born with a silver spoon, but he had an uncanny ability to dream big and execute those dreams with relentless focus.

His unfair advantage? A combination of vision, risk tolerance, and the ability to attract top talent. When others doubted the feasibility of electric cars and space travel, Musk didn’t just dream—he made it happen.

Now, consider Beyoncé. Her rise to global superstardom wasn’t just about talent; it was about how she harnessed her unfair advantage.

Beyoncé’s unfair advantage lies in her work ethic, perfectionism, and the ability to reinvent herself while staying true to her roots. She didn’t just rely on her vocal ability—she combined it with an unmatched level of dedication, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of her audience.

Beyoncé turned her talent into a brand, a cultural phenomenon, and a lasting legacy. She leveraged every aspect of her identity—her heritage, her artistry, her business acumen—to carve out a space where few could compete.

These examples show that success isn’t just about grinding away—it’s about identifying your unique strengths and using them to your advantage. When you stop trying to level the playing field and start playing to your strengths, that’s when you truly start to win.

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5 ways to leverage yours

1. Identify your unique strengths: Start by asking yourself what you’re naturally good at. What do people come to you for advice on? What do you find easy that others struggle with? This is where your unfair advantage lies.
2. Double down on what sets you apart: Once you’ve identified your advantage, focus on it relentlessly. Sharpen it, refine it, and make it your superpower. If you’re a great communicator, become the best in your field. If you’re tech-savvy, immerse yourself in the latest technologies.
3. Surround yourself with the right people: Your network is a powerful amplifier of your unfair advantage. Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and help you see opportunities where others see obstacles.
4. Be ruthlessly strategic: Use your unfair advantage strategically. Whether it's in negotiating deals, finding the right job, or launching a business, leverage your strengths to tilt the odds in your favour.
5. Don’t apologize for your advantage: The world will try to make you feel guilty for having an advantage. Don’t buy into that nonsense. Own it, use it, and let it propel you to the success you deserve.

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Finding your unfair advantage as a designer

If you’re a designer looking to tap into your unfair advantage, the Unfair Advantage Map is your go-to tool. It’s a simple yet powerful process that helps you uncover what sets you apart.

Step 1 — Identify your talents and skills

• What are my talents and skills?
• What am I naturally good at?
• What skills have I actively improved over time?

Step 2 — Reflect on your passions and interests

• What do I love doing?
• What activities bring me joy, even without financial reward?

Step 3 — Understand industry needs

• What skills does a designer need?
• What does a designer get paid for?
• Review roles and responsibilities in job descriptions

Step 4 — Combine insights

• Find 3 overlaps between your talents, passions, and industry needs.
• Write 3 short sentences for each overlap, capturing how these intersections form your unfair advantage

Example:

1. What am I good at? → “Work fast”
2. What do I love doing? → “New ideas”
3. What does a designer get paid for? → “Shipping MVPs”

Therefore, one of my unfair advantages is:

This structured approach helps you pinpoint your unique edge as a designer, giving you a clear path to leverage your unfair advantage in the industry.

In a world that’s anything but fair, your success hinges on how well you can identify and exploit your unfair advantage. Stop trying to play by the rules—discover what makes you uniquely powerful, and use it to rise above the rest.

Here’s how I identify my unfair advantage:

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Takeaways

The world isn’t fair, but that’s not an excuse to throw in the towel.

It’s a challenge to find and exploit the unfair advantages you do have. Whether it’s your resilience, your social intelligence, or some other innate skill, your success depends on how you leverage it.

Stop trying to be what you’re not, and start owning what makes you uniquely powerful. In a world where the playing field is anything but level, the winners are those who understand the game and use every tool at their disposal to win.

The choice is yours: will you let the unfairness of the world defeat you, or will you turn it to your advantage and rise above the rest?

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