Here's The 1 Thing Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh Wishes He Knew When He Was 18

Flickr / Stewtopia Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh.

Few CEOs have crafted as strong an identity for themselves as Zappos leader Tony Hsieh, who has earned a reputation for uniqueness due to his fondness for raving, Grey Goose vodka, and holding parades during the workday.

It's likely he would not have the high profile he does today, and perhaps never would have been successful in the first place had he tried to conceal his self-described "weirdness" from the world.

When asked by author and entrepreneur Jared Kleinert what he would like to have taught himself at 18 years old to be more successful in the future, Hsieh gave this powerful response:

"Be unapologetically true to yourself, both in business and in life, and broadcast who you are to the world. The right people will eventually find you."

This emphasis on individuality is something Hsieh tries to instill in employees at Zappos, where "Create fun and a little weirdness" is one of the Amazon-owned online shoe retailer's 10 core values.

This value explains why the company encourages employees to wear tutus to work, hosts on-site "laughter yoga" classes, and even once brought a horse into the office to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Need proof? Here's a photo the company shared on its Facebook page of two employees celebrating "Tutu Tuesday" in 2011:

Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions.