The 3 Contrasting Traits of Ugly Duckling Leaders

What is an ugly duckling leader?

Ugly duckling leaders are those leaders who are usually overlooked for leadership because they don’t fit the typical leadership mold, these leaders often come from historically marginalized groups, such as: BIPOC, LGTBQ, and neurodivergent communities.

Ugly duckling leaders often experience the following challenges or obstacles on their leadership journeys:

• Being blocked or held back by conventional leadership definitions

• Assumed to have few leadership qualities and / or little desire to be a leader,

• Struggling to conform to an ideal leadership image or personality type

• Mistaking their natural tendencies, talents or behaviors as weaknesses.

Ironically, ugly duckling leaders often have and demonstrate traits of high-performing leaders.

3 contrasting Traits of Ugly Duckling Leaders

Trait #1: high-performing misfits

Ugly duckling leaders often experience marginalization, but remain high performers.

Trait #2: Culture clashers

Ugly duckling leaders tend to be at odds with the culture of the organization that they're in, but they're also role models of alternatives to that culture.

Trait #3: Aloof Ambassadors

Ugly duckling leaders often get charged with being aloof, but they usually have no problem speaking up for others.

Do any of these sound like you? Keep reading to find out how to make the transition from ugly duckling leader to swan.