Top tips from the HBR on challenging the status quo – it’s not being right that gets stuff moving; as President Bartlett famously said in the West Wing; “Leadership when nobody follows, is just taking a walk…”
3 Mistakes to Avoid When You’re Challenging the Status Quo
You have a great idea that will improve operations, but it goes against the way things are done. Now the challenge is to break through the bureaucracy to get your idea implemented. When you’re taking the role of rebel at work, there are a few pitfalls to avoid:
- Going solo. It’s tempting to think you can do it all on your own. But you can’t. Temper your ego and collaborate with others to advance your idea. Bringing in fresh perspectives will only help.
- Flunking the pitch. When you’re ready to share the idea, keep your pitch short — no more than 15 minutes — and leave lots of time for discussion and questions. Engagement is the first step to buy-in.
- Giving up too soon. Set small goals and appreciate the small wins along the way. When you hit a setback, reflect on your positive progress to help you stay the course.
The Specialist-Generalist 