The Rise of the Imperfect Changemaker
What if I told you that the key to changing the world was hiding inside you right now?
Sounds crazy, right?
But it's true. And it's not just hiding inside you - it's screaming to get out.
You've got a burning passion.
A vision for positive change that keeps you up at night, dreaming of a better world.
But in a world facing increasing polarisation and misinformation, where everyone and their dog has a platform, how do you make your voice heard above the noise?
Social media, websites, and email are catastrophically crowded spaces. Billions of content creators are fighting for limited attention with virtually identical tactics. It's like trying to whisper in a hurricane and expecting someone to hear you.
So how do you stand out?
How do you transform your world-changing dream from a hobby passion project into a real voice that moves audiences to action?
The answer is as simple as it is challenging:
You need to develop an unmistakable, unique voice and style.
This singular trait can transcend the noise and spark real audience engagement across platforms and geographical boundaries.
But how do you find and unleash this voice? That's what we're about to dive into.
Your authentic voice is your greatest weapon in this battlefield of noise and negativity.
Find Your Unique Voice - Your Success Depends Upon It
Look around at the changemakers, cultural forces, and thought leaders who are driving positive impact at scale.
The ones whose voices boom above the deafening online chaos.
Benaifer Bhandari is CEO of Hopscotch Women's Centre, a trans-inclusive women's centre in London. She's also a friend, mentor and trustee of my charity Naz and Matt Foundation. Benaifer uses her voice to uplift and empower marginalised and racialised women in Camden.
Dame Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, a dear friend and founder / ex-Chief Exec of Karma Nirvana, has used her voice to fight for the rights of victims and survivors of forced marriage, honour-based abuse, and victims of abuse in the Church of England.
Rico Jacob Chace is a friend whom I admire greatly. As a Black Trans Man, Rico has track record of advocating for minority groups in forums such as UK Parliament, the Mayor's Office and the United Nations UNITE Future Leaders programme.
Taz Khan MBE is the founder of London's Community Kitchen. His work on food and health inequalities is truly inspirational. Taz recently invited me to visit his food re-distribution centre in Harrow, which blew me away. He uses his voice to create a more equitable, inclusive society that focuses on environmental consciousness and food sustainability.
Mel Robbins is an influential US voice who uses her own experiences of deep, debilitating anxiety to help millions of people around the world challenge their anxiety and reduce its impact (including me).
What do they all have in common?
An utterly distinct, 100% authentic voice that's impossible to ignore or replicate.
These changemakers aren't just creating content. They're sparking change with their words and actions. Their raw, honest expression draws people in like a magnet.
It's not about being polished or perfect. It's about being real.
When your voice becomes inseparable from who you are - flaws and all - that's when magic happens. You stop being just another creator of content on social media.
You become a catalyst for change.
People are hungry for authenticity more than ever. They can smell fakeness from a mile away. Your raw, imperfect voice is your greatest asset for your personal brand.
By embracing your unique voice, you'll build something powerful: a tribe of passionate supporters who'll amplify your message to the world.
So, if you want to turn your passion into a real force for change, start by finding your one-of-a-kind voice.
How to Distill Your Utterly Unique Voice
Okay, so you know you need a unique voice. But how do you find it?
It's not like there's a "Find Your Voice" app you can download. (If only, right?) But don't worry. I've got you covered.
Finding your voice starts with digging deep into who you are. It's about uncovering the weird, wonderful mix of experiences and perspectives that make you, well, you.
Here are 5 steps to help you unearth your authentic voice:
Deconstruct your identity: Write down everything that makes you, you. Your quirks, your passions, your pet peeves. What life experiences have shaped you? What makes you different from everyone else?
Unleash your natural voice: Grab your phone and start talking about something you care about. Don't hold back. Let your personality shine through. This is your raw, unfiltered voice. Get used to it. Use it.
Be influenced by the authentic voices you love: Who are the creators, changemakers or leaders that make you think, "Yes! This speaks to me!"? Study their style. Let it inspire you, but don't copy it.
Be unapologetic in your truth: Your voice should resonate with your ideal audience. Don't be afraid to have strong opinions. It's okay if not everyone agrees with you.
Create a consistent voice style guide: Make a cheat sheet for your voice. Include words, phrases, and tones that feel authentically you. Use it every time you create something.
Remember, the goal isn't to create a perfect voice. It's to uncover the voice that's already inside you.
Give your audiences something they've never seen or heard before by fully embracing the unique human that you are.
The Value of a Unique Voice Can't Be Overstated
In a world of endless online noise, having a unique voice is what will set you apart and give you the opportunity to make an impact.
Anyone can learn strategies and tactics. But your unique perspective? That's something no one can copy. It's your competitive edge in the fight for attention and impact.
Too many creators get caught up in chasing algorithms and viral trends.
They treat content creation like a game to be hacked.
But the truth is you can't hack real human connections.
You earn that connection by showing up as your full, messy, authentic self. By turning your truth into a rallying cry that resonates with others. By letting your freak flag fly, unapologetically.
Your unique voice - the way you see and experience the world - is the most powerful tool you have for creating change.
It's what turns a hobby blog into a cultural movement.
It's what makes people sit up and pay attention.
It's what drives real impact, simply through the power of your words.
Think about the creators who've impacted you most. Was it their fancy equipment or their video editing skills that moved you? Of course not. It was the raw honesty of their expression that allowed you to connect with their message on a deep level.
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.
The Rise of the Imperfect Changemaker
Let's get one thing straight: your flaws are not weaknesses.
They're unique superpowers in disguise.
Those quirks and imperfections you try to hide?
They're the very things that make your voice powerful and relatable.
By embracing your flaws, you create deep, emotional connections with your audience. You turn passive readers into passionate advocates for your cause.
Just look at cultural forces such as Malala Yousafzai and her fight for rights and better safety for girls in Pakistan, and now worldwide. She's also the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Malala is a powerful changemaker who hasn't just built a global following - she's sparked real societal change, and loyal followers through the realness of her expression and purpose in life.
Her commitment to her truth makes her work magnetic to those who share her values. That's the power of an authentic voice.
The more I learn from Malala, the more it strengthens with my work at my charity Naz and Matt Foundation.
A changemaker is someone who works to create positive change in the world, often by identifying opportunities and inspiring others to join them.
The Power of Vulnerability
Being vulnerable isn't easy. But it is the key to transforming from just another voice into a true catalyst for change.
Developing your unique voice is the crucial first step for any aspiring changemaker.
So get messy with it.
Be authentic.
Dive deep into what makes you, you.
Then share those beautifully flawed perspectives with the world, holding nothing back.
The world doesn't need more polished, perfect voices repeating the same old ideas. It needs your voice - raw, real, and revolutionary.
That's how you turn your passion into a force for lasting change.
By fearlessly developing your one-of-a-kind voice and using it to spark a revolution.
Are you ready to unleash your voice and change the world?
The journey starts now.
And I can't wait to hear what you have to say.
Tag me in your content; I'd love to follow your incredible journey ahead.
About the author, Matt Mahmood-Ogston
I'm a purpose-driven personal branding coach and social responsibility photographer for half of my week, and a multi-award-winning charity CEO for the other half.
I use my unique blend of skills as a charity CEO, tech startup founder, coach + photographer to help my mission-driven clients maximise their positive impact and visibility.
I've worked with iconic brands such as Magnum Photos, Meta, Capgemini, RBS, NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, TSB, AVID, and helped a Dragon from BBC’s Dragons’ Den brand and launch five startups.
In my rare moments of downtime, you'll find me in London walking my disabled French Bulldog, Lola, or working on Bona Parle, my new social impact platform for creators.
If you want to maximise the impact of your purpose-driven brand, or document the value of your investment in social responsibility with photography, I'm here and ready to support you.
Find more free guides on ogston.com or follow me on LinkedIn → Matt Mahmood-Ogston 🧲
