Walking into a room full of people dressed in costumes would be normal if it were Halloween.<\/p>\n
But it wasn\u2019t the end of October. It was Labor Day, and I found myself surrounded, not by kids, but by grown-ups dressed in medieval garb and Batman outfits and more. Everyone from E.T. to The Incredible Hulk was there.<\/p>\n
Welcome to Dragon Con, the world\u2019s largest gathering of die-hard science-fiction, gaming, and fantasy fans from all over the world. Hatched in 1987, Dragon Con has grown to more than 80,000 attendees that take over four hotels and nearly every street corner in downtown Atlanta once a year.<\/p>\n
Activities include everything from playing Dungeons and Dragons with 1,000 of your closest friends to participating in \u201cKlingon Karaoke.\u201d\u00a0 Fantasy fans and gamers young and old flock to discussion groups and seminars on topics like \u201cSpace-Based Solar Power\u201d and advanced puppetry. And that\u2019s just on day 1.<\/p>\n
The term \u201cnerd\u201d has been used the describe those of us who are obsessively into non-mainstream activities like those offered at Dragon Con.\u00a0\u00a0 We are mostly introverts except when we are with our own.\u00a0 We like technology and science, and yes, we can be a bit quirky when it comes to social interactions.<\/p>\n
Taking on the label of a nerd in high school or college is something most of us tried to avoid. Especially as a kid, being nerdy carries with it sometimes severe social repercussions, especially if young nerds are teased and even bullied.<\/p>\n
Today, being labeled a nerd is becoming less derogatory.\u00a0 In fact, as technology has become more central to nearly every aspect of life, being a nerd has proved itself to be quite advantageous. We tend to have a combination of computer skills and creative skills that are more relevant than ever.<\/p>\n
In the business world, it turns out that the characteristics that nerds get ridiculed for as kids are the same traits that make them some of the best entrepreneurs and CEOs around.\u00a0 The unparalleled success of people like Microsoft\u2019s Bill Gates, Amazon\u2019s Jeff Bezos, and Facebook\u2019s Mark Zuckerberg prove that being a nerd can be a business asset.<\/p>\n
In fact, there is an argument to be made that nerds are more likely to be successful in their careers than their cooler counterparts.<\/p>\n
There are three nerdy qualities that translate into business leader success:<\/p>\n
There are of course plenty of \u201ccool\u201d kids who have these characteristics as well.\u00a0 And coolness and nerdiness are not mutually exclusive. But we nerds often take them to another level, which is what many companies need.<\/p>\n
So, if you\u2019re not a nerd, it’s never too late to learn. A trip to Dragon Con next year might be in order.\u00a0 It may not be everyone\u2019s idea of professional development, but the creativity and dedication you find there might ensure that you live long and prosper.<\/p>\n
J<\/em>J Rosen is the founder of <\/em>Atiba<\/em>.<\/u><\/em> A <\/em>Nashville custom software<\/a> development<\/em> and <\/em>IT support company<\/u><\/em>. \u00a0<\/em>Visit<\/em> www.atiba.com<\/a> <\/em>or<\/em> www.atibanetworkservices.com<\/a> <\/u><\/em>for more info.<\/em><\/p>\n