Introduction
Successful people naturally influence us — their way of speaking, working, or leading feels like a proven path. It’s only natural to learn from them and apply their approaches. Borrowing knowledge and behaviours is how growth begins.
But sometimes, what energises them doesn’t energise us. We push forward, trying to sustain their style, only to feel drained or out of place. That’s not failure. It’s an invitation to look inward — to notice how we see, think, and contribute differently. The leaders we admire give us starting points; what we do with them defines us.
The journey isn’t about rejecting what we’ve borrowed but transforming it into an authentic contribution.
Embracing Your Natural Instincts
Each of us carries natural instincts — internal lenses that shape how we interpret the world. They’re not something we add later; they’re always present. They are your unique filters through which knowledge flows and settles, shaping how you see and perceive the world around you.
Newton wasn’t the first person to watch an apple fall from a tree. But Newton’s — a mind primed by mathematics and curiosity — led him to see not just an apple, but a principle of gravity. The event was the same; the interpretation was unique.
In the workplace, the same is true. Two people can attend the same meeting — one sees obstacles, another sees opportunities. Both are valid, but it’s the diversity of interpretation that fuels innovation. That’s originality: trusting the instincts that guide your view of the world.
The Role of Borrowed Knowledge
Borrowing isn’t a trap; it’s essential. Every skill begins with something handed to us.
Think of cooking. At first, you follow recipes exactly as written. Over time, you start adjusting spices, swapping ingredients, and creating dishes that reflect your own taste. The recipe was borrowed, but the dish became yours.
Leadership works the same way. A young leader may begin by applying what they learned from the style of a respected manager or mentor. Those lessons provide a foundation. But lasting impact comes when they adapt those lessons, aligning them with their own instincts and strengths.
Borrowing gives us the building blocks; owning them is what turns knowledge into contribution.
Practical Steps to Move Toward Authentic Contribution
1. Notice Patterns
Ask: “Am I doing this because it fits me, or because it worked for someone else?”
2. Trust What Resonates
Frameworks like DISC and MBTI can give clues, but your lived experiences show you where you thrive. Pay attention to moments when you feel energised and effective versus drained and disengaged.
3. Start Small
You don’t need a dramatic change. Authenticity shows in daily actions — how you share ideas, solve problems, or support colleagues. Volunteer for a project aligned with your strengths. Speak up with a perspective only you can offer, even if it feels unconventional.
Closing Thought
Workplaces don’t need more replicas of past successes, but originals who contribute in their own way. Borrowed knowledge may start your journey, but originality is what defines it — and what leaves a legacy that lasts.
The real question is: are you here just to follow the blueprint, or are you ready to become the architect of your team’s success?
The moment you stop trying to be a better version of someone else is the moment you become a more powerful version of yourself. Tomorrow, notice just one place where you’re leaning on someone else’s style — and try showing up in a way that feels true to you.
And if it feels difficult to spot this on your own, that’s natural too. Sometimes a conversation with a trusted mentor can help hold up the mirror, so you see more clearly what already makes you unique.
Your most significant contribution isn’t a copy — it’s an original.
At Prabodh, we believe originality thrives when ideas meet expertise. Every learner, mentor, and leader carries their own lens — and when those unique perspectives are nurtured with the right guidance, they create impact far beyond imitation. That’s the space we strive to build: a place where knowledge transforms into authentic contribution.
Well articulated !!