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Is It Really Safer to be Part of a Herd?
In the vast ocean of career opportunities and entrepreneurial ventures, it’s easy to find oneself swimming in a “red ocean”. This term, coined by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne in their groundbreaking book “Blue Ocean Strategy”, refers to a market space where competition is fierce, and everyone is fighting for a piece of the pie.
The safety of being part of this herd, or red ocean, can be appealing. It’s a well-trodden path with clear rules and expectations. However, this safety often comes at the cost of fierce competition, limited growth opportunities, and the risk of becoming just another fish in the sea.
The alternative to this is what Kim and Mauborgne call a “blue ocean” — an uncontested market space ripe for growth. In the blue ocean, you’re not competing head-on with others. Instead, you’re creating a unique value proposition that makes the competition irrelevant.
Applying this strategy early in your career or small business can be incredibly beneficial. It allows you to differentiate yourself from others, create your own niche, and drive your growth on your own terms.
While the Blue Ocean Strategy was initially developed for businesses, its principles can be effectively applied to personal life as well3. Imagine competing versions of yourself — the person you are now and the person you…
