Talented misfits
People are the best drivers of success. People come up with good ideas and make them happen. Of course they can do so by following a specific process but ultimately success happens when those people with innovative ideas are given the opportunity to explore uncharted paths, lead change, challenge status quo.
Challenging status quo: leading innovation or burning-out
No company is immune to change: there is a constant need for adaptation to new technology, market, legislation, customer or employee expectations. In such context, we should be comfortable with change and open to continuously revisiting the way we operate, the way we do business, or the way we interact with each other. But our very own human nature gets in the way: psychology studies show that when we are taught something, we tend to repeat it without ever questioning it. In other words, we are wired for status quo. So individuals who have the courage to voice observations and suggestions for improvements – going against our own human nature, are exceptional.
Any organisation seeking openly to change (be it through a transformation program, an innovation pipeline or any other trendy initiative name) should seek and celebrate those individuals who dare to challenge status quo and are not afraid to point at new opportunities. They are precisely the ones needed to enable change. Yet a lot of them share that rather than welcoming them, organisations turn a deaf ear to them – or worse, see them as dangerous disruptors that need to be silenced. They are talented, but also misfits.
The talented misfits have the ability to support change, to reinvent work, to leave inefficient strategies behind and to embrace new ones. Yet they often burn-out trying and trying again when their organisations - managers - co-workers - partners are not ready to join their efforts.
Talented Misfits - the book
This research aims at better understanding those talented misfits, in order to help them – and everyone around them – identify their potential, and find ways to create the environment that will enable them to do what they are best at. It is currently in writing and will be published as a book.
Have you experienced burn-out while trying to make your organisation change? Do you feel like a talented misfit and would you like to share your story with me in order to help others? Get in touch, I am collecting as much personal stories as I can right now and I'd love to hear from you.