We often think of rebels as troublemakers and contrarians—those among us who complicate seemingly straightforward decisions, create chaos, and disagree with the majority. But while rebels may be harder to manage, they are good for the bottom line: their passion, drive, curiosity, and creativity raise the entire organization to a new level. In personal relationships, rebels form and foster trusted bonds. Rebels, with their unconventional outlooks, change the world for the better.
Award-winning Harvard Business School professor and behavioral scientist Francesca Gino believes creative rebellion is essential to bringing joy and meaning to our lives, and in REBEL TALENT, she shows us why the most successful among us are those who break the rules.
For more than fifteen years, Gino has been studying rebels at organizations around the world, and she has discovered that rebels—those who practice “positive deviance” at work—share five talents.
Novelty compels us to engage with the unfamiliar. Curiosity allows us to ask questions and consider new possibilities in our jobs and relationships. Perspective broadens our point of view, forcing us to think about what we could do, rather than what we’ve simply been trained to do. Rebels with a talent for diversity fight stereotype bias and recognize talent and potential all around them. Authenticity, the final rebel talent, allows us to combat the disconnection and burnout that come with hiding our preferences and true beliefs. Instead of clinging to social norms and falling back on routines and tradition, rebels defy the status quo and are masters of innovation and reinvention. These talents, Gino’s research proves, are the paths to engagement at work and at home.
REBEL TALENT provides strategies and examples for cultivating and embracing positive deviance in the workplace and in life, and offers illuminating case studies ranging from the world’s best restaurant to fast-food chains to corporations such as Google and Pixar. Gino encourages all of us to rebel so we can thrive.
The future belongs to the rebel—and there’s a rebel in each of us. Whether you want to inspire others to action, build a business, or build more meaningful relationships, REBEL TALENT will show readers how to succeed—by breaking all the rules.