Sometimes, the people who have the authority to determine which job opportunities you will have cannot see your value or potential. Their low expectations may make you feel like a powerless underdog. However, being an underdog confers many advantages you may not initially see. Rather than simply accepting the negative connotations of being an “underdog,” you can reframe the situation to focus on the positives. Doing so will build your resilience and set you up for future opportunities that may be better than the ones you are focusing on now.
The Power Of The Underdog
Researchers define an underdog as an individual’s perception that others view them as unlikely to succeed. We often discuss the underdog experience from the perspective of the one who judges that the person is unlikely to succeed. The assumption is that once labeled as an underdog, the person will passively accept that negative label and fade into the background.
However, Samir Nurmohamed’s research indicates that when a person is set up as the underdog, rather than succumb to low expectations, they may be motivated to prove their observers wrong. And their resulting performance may exceed everyone’s expectations. The implication of this research, from a personal development perspective, is that rather than taking on the persona of the defeated underdog as your evaluator intends, you can instead turn underdog status into a power source to propel you to even bigger things than your evaluator could ever imagine for you. This positive reframing is called the Underdog Effect.
In the Apple streaming series Slow Horses, a group of disheveled underdog spies is relegated to a separate building away from spy headquarters. In each episode, their quirkiness eventually leads to compelling solutions. By the end of each season, we’re so delighted that they have consistently outperformed the hotshots at HQ that we sit with bated breath, waiting for the next episodes from the Netflix powers-that-be. The show is a perfect model of what underdogs can accomplish despite others’ efforts to subordinate them.
Three Advantages Of Being An Underdog
Although underdog advantages exist, it may be challenging to spot them. Below are three benefits you can exploit if you find yourself in the underdog situation.
Underdogs Can Innovate And Stand Out
Since you may get less attention than others, use this as an opportunity to do things your way. Instead of fading into the background, your achievements will be noteworthy and memorable. The element of surprise will make you and your ideas unforgettable. Earlier this year, Ula Maria, a 31-year-old Lithuanian designer, entered her first exhibit in Britain’s prestigious Chelsea Flower Show and won the Best in Show award. Her Forest Bathing Garden included many nontraditional features like wheelchair-friendly paths and almost 60 trees. She attributes her willingness to innovate to her underdog status. Everything you do as an underdog will stand out; ironically, you may end up at the top of the pile.
Your Self-Talk Can Build Your Confidence
Your underdog status can be a powerful tool for building self-confidence. While others might be getting external validation, you are not. So, talk yourself to excellence. You will become self-reliant at generating ideas and taking actions that others do not expect. As you persist toward your goal, your confidence will grow. In 2021, New York Giants’ University of Iowa football running back Tyrone Tracy, Jr. wasn’t getting the time on the field he wanted; he even considered quitting the sport. Instead, with the support of his parents, he kept telling himself that he could do it. He trained and prepared his body for the inevitable day when he would have the opportunity to shine on the field. Today, Tracy is a professional football star on the New York Giants roster. In each interview, he mentions that the underdog spirit from his bad days pushes him to be “fearless” and excellent now. This mindset helped him perform when others doubted his capabilities.
Your Underdog Authenticity Will Inspire Others
Being an underdog reinforces the value of your authenticity. While your unique approach makes it hard for people to see your value initially, do everything you can to retain your authenticity. In April 2023, Jose Iglesias’ minor league team released him. After more than 10 years as a professional baseball player, he had some free time to pursue his interest in music, so he recorded a song, “OMG.” In May 2024, the New York Mets signed Iglesias. Today, after languishing for years in the minors, Iglesias became a star hitter, contributing significantly to the Mets making it to the National League Championship. Although they eventually lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games, this was one of their best years. And Iglesia’s song became a bonafide hit and the team’s unofficial anthem. Not only did the underdog become a star, he inspired his entire team to do better. Underdogs can create meaningful connections with others working towards a big goal.
If, like Ula Maria, Tyrone Tracy, Jr., Jose Iglesias, or the Slow Horses characters, you should find yourself in a situation where others can’t (yet) see your value or potential, remember there could be advantages to that underdog status. You can innovate, stand out, talk yourself to excellence, and use your authenticity to inspire others. The Underdog Effect is, at its core, a lesson in optimistic self-determination, and could be your greatest asset.