Previously I asked whether, when we see disruption or innovation, should we, look to the disruptor or the incumbent?
Disruption is Happening
“Well…Here’s looking at you, Mr. Incumbent!”
The objective is simple enough. Disrupt yourself & drive innovation.
To do this…you need to become a Disruptive Incumbent.
I have 3 topics that I want to talk to you about.
The first of the three topics…Propelling your Disruptors!
So, I want to help you to identify your Disruptors…your Mavericks…
I mean those individuals, with their idiosyncrasies & quirky thinking, front to back – back to front, inside out, 
and when asked, still somehow manage to get a better result! Sometimes they are the ones quietly raging against the office norms, legacy systems and fixed processes, or they are the ones constantly questioning the current assumptions…always asking why. Others will have exceptionally high standards and pursue differentiation in the work they do, all of which can cause discomfort & friction for those after homogeneity or structured order. Guaranteed though, they will be working diligently on their day jobs while surreptitiously building and delivering their own projects that support and develop innovation.
We can find them in every part of the organisation from the back office through to the front office, from Operations or HR to Sales or Services.
Have you thought of anyone yet?
Would these profiles help you…?
Josie: Ops Executive – Processing documents, checking and resolving errors.
Profile: High Performer, always raging against existing legacy systems
Hidden Disruptor: Secret Developer, designing, coding & implementing non standard workflows to improve speed, ease and transparency for her Customers. Codes Minecraft with her kids on the weekend.
Belinda: Finance Manager– Runs the team, works on forecasting & analysing.
Profile: Quiet, dependable…focused on team management, safe pair of hands
Hidden Disruptor: Excel Ninja – created & delivered secret ninja excel training (White belt to Black belt) for her team. “If you have a problem, if no-one else can help, if you can find her…maybe you can call…”
Ira: Process consultant – Mapping, templating & improving SIPOCs, DACI’s, Visio’s, Workflows, BPM’s…
Profile: Questions why…always, constantly challenges the status quo, be that upwards, downwards & sideways.
Hidden Disruptor: Finds innovative tools, learns how to, creates and builds, improves and refines… Wiki’s, Digital collaboration platforms….shared with her department. Also sharing a growing library of improvement books.
Suki: Sales Manager – Client visits, always on the road, deal maker.
Profile: Charismatic, energetic, works around processes- prefers face to face
Hidden Disruptor: Team builder & developer. Runs vulnerability, bias, feedback & Emotional Intelligence workshops for members of his team. Coaches & referees Under 10’s football on the side.
Jason: Customer Service Manager– NPS champion, complaints specialist.
Profile: Always running, smiling and singing. Difficult to catch, loud and happy.
Hidden Disruptor: Data guru – captures requirements, tries, fails & retries, creates reporting dashboards and tells stories, shares back to senior members.
These are the ones that do trigger the central nervous system of the business, but in the right way – by aligning with the overall vision, helping to transform the strategy & giving breath to the values that matter the most.
We want them to be proactively collaborating with more and more members of their teams and other functions. They will then fuel and drive innovation, help embed an agile environment whilst pushing forward a cultural transformation.
Now that you’ve thought of one or two.
Lets work out what you can do, to propel them further…
