leaders are heretical
This picture reminds me to break the rules. Although I'm almost certain its been through Photoshop...
Leaders are heretical. But no one ever changed the world by following the rules.
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs that conflicts with established dogma.
By definition, there is nothing wrong with heresy. But, it's certainly a dirty word to many people.
Maybe it shouldn't be.
Jesus was "controversial" and represented "novel change to a system of beliefs". He shocked the pharisees on a regular basis.
Looking back on history, most leaders and change makers could also be called heretics.
Todays leaders must not be afraid to break the rules or they may not be leaders at all. In fact, to lead today, you must become comfortable with challenging the status quo. This is especially true because of the fast paced change we experience around us.
If we fail to change we get stuck in the past and what worked in the past will likely fail in the future.
It's easy to "go with the flow" and nod your head when everyone else does. But, I challenge you; don't settle. If you believe something can be better, different, new, then say something about it. Do something about it.
In a world or ruts, routines and robots, step out of the system of normal, toward your vision for the future, and by doing so, you'll be stepping into leadership.
You may be a heretic, but if you are bringing needed change to the world around you... thank you for your heresy.
The world needs more heretics, contrast, change, and people that take risks because they believe in something that's worth the risk.
No one ever changed the world by doing the same thing everyone else was doing.
Seth Godin does a fantastic job talking about heretical leadership in one of my favorite books, Tribes.
change is noticed
When something changes, people notice.
This truth applies to just about everything.
How often do you look at someone and say to yourself "something is different"? Usually due to a haircut, a new beard, or something physically different about the person.
We do the same thing on our favorite websites. If a banner on the side bar, the logo, or the layout changes, you notice it.
Movement is noticed. If everyone in the room is nodding up and down but one person is shaking their head side to side, you'll notice the one person doing something different.
Change isn't always good and sometimes you can cause negative attention. But, I'd rather take that risk than be so predictable that people stopped paying attention all together. Sometimes change, good or bad, is necessary to stand out, be different, and get noticed.
Jesus was certainly not predictable. He healed people on Sunday, argued with the religious leaders, turned over tables, walked on water, and then surrendered himself to death in order to defeat it and all of our sins. He surprised people.
I am not discrediting consistency or stability. The core of who we are or what we are doing, the what & why, should rarely change; but sometimes we've got to mix it up when it comes to how.
So switch out a banner on your site today, say something different when you walk into work this morning; step outside of your comfort zone into something new and see how it goes.
Sometimes you've got to mix it up or you'll get lost in the mix.
