Mainstream is not exceptional. The proportion of the exceptional in mainstream institutions is very low (with all due respect…).

Business, academic, political, whatever institutions/organizations are not set up to be exceptional. There are exceptional people in these organizations, sure; in minority.

Exceptional people are either shaking the boat, or they are out, on the periphery. It’s easy to find those, who are shaking the boat.

Are you engaged on the periphery, or do you follow only the mainstream?

This is a question of identity.