By Peter Jeff
The Leadership Mints Guy

Here’s an idea to strengthen your personal conviction. Reading time: 2:14

David Crosby flying his freak flag proudly.

David Crosby flying his freak flag with conviction and passion.

     David Crosby, the music legend of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fame, labeled his shoulder-length hair a “freak flag” in his 1970 song Almost Cut My Hair.

Almost cut my hair,
Happened just the other day.
Was getting kind of long,
Could have said it was in my way.
But I didn’t and I wonder why,
Feel like letting my freak flag fly.

     Like a flag– a banner to his individuality– David Crosby’s long hair made him “something markedly unusual.” At least that is one dictionary definition for the term “freak.” Another definition cites a “strong obsession with a particular activity.”

         To me, leaders qualify under both definitions. They are markedly unusual and they are obsessed with continuous improvement. They are always looking for ways to figuratively let down their own hair. And they are always looking for ways to  fly their freak flags for a specific end result. After all, there are Neat Freaks, Control Freaks, Film Freaks. Even a Leadership Freak. 

     I salute that liberating spirit,  that spirit of individuality, that flair for continuous improvement in leadership freaks everywhere who thrive on curiosity,  who unleash a creative zeal, who challenge the status quo.

Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson Flew Their Freak Flags

Albert Einstein, the father of Modern Physics

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States.

          Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson flew their freak flags with a follicle flair.

            Einstein, the father of modern physics,  wore his hair long  primarily because he was so busy focusing on what was going on INSIDE  his head instead of ON  it.

            And  Thomas Jefferson wore his long red hair in a pony tails so often that friends called the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence – THE RED FOX.

          Einstein and The Red Fox illustrates the key understanding of all leaders that you can NEVER tell what’s IN someone’s head by looking at what’s ON someone’s head.

         So if you have a freak or two on your staff, let ‘em fly their freak flag.

         Or if you’re the leader and have “almost cut my hair, happened just the other day, ” the heck with the dress code.  Salute your head of hair. Fly your freak flag and breathe even more creative energy into your organization.

        Go ahead. Be “markedly unusual.” Go ahead. Be obsessed with continuous improvement. Go ahead. Get ahead. Be a freak. Be a leader.

Today’s ImproveMINT
Leverage your personal identity  to keep  your leadership thinking in mint condition.

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