Disruptors – are they likeable?

“Tell you a little secret. Your worldview’s gonna change.

Once you read it, you can’t unread it. Is your phone turned off?

If you want to shake things up, you start with something small.

You break a norm, or an idea, or a convention, some little business model.

But you go with things that people are kind of tired of anyway.

Everybody gets excited because you’re busting up something that everyone wanted broken in the first place.

That’s the infraction point.

That’s the place where you have to look within yourself and ask, “Am I the kind of person who will keep going?”

Will you break more things?

Break bigger things?

Are you willing to break the thing that nobody wants you to break?

Because at that point, people are not gonna be on your side.

They’re gonna call you crazy.

They’re gonna say you’re a bully. They’re gonna tell you to stop.

Even your partner will say, “You need to stop.”

Because as it turns out, nobody wants you to break the system itself.

But that is what true disruption is.”

?? A few weeks ago, I watched a crime-comedy called “Glass Onion”. Despite the film not being top-notch, the above quote has stuck with me ever since and will probably stay with me for much longer. It made me think of innovation discussions I've had with friends, colleagues, and #insurance industry experts. I often hear the term #innovation used to describe something that is not a real game-changer. I would rather compare it to the front of the peloton in a cycling race, which plays a very important role because it gives the whole race momentum, but importantly it is a momentum that the whole peloton will be able to withstand. In this way, the whole industry moves forward steadily, but not very fast.

??____?????? But the above quote reminded me that to escape the peloton, you need something more ?? Something that disrupts the status quo and breaks away from the norm. Disruptors are willing to go against the grain, even if it means being called crazy or a bully. They're willing to break the thing that nobody wants them to break, and that's what true disruption is all about. It's about going beyond the norm, beyond the steady rotation of the peloton, and making a real difference.

Do we need them?

Or is this just another buzzword or popular hashtag that we're all so fond of lately ? (By the way, on LinkedIn, the disruption tag has less than ??k followers) Is it enough for us to live within a certain status quo and move steadily forward ? Can anyone become a disruptor, or is it something you have to be born with ? These are difficult questions, and each of us may answer them differently based on our individual views and how much disruptor blood flows through our veins ??

The development of civilization is a lot like the development of a child. Every so often, there is a developmental leap that allows us to completely change our perspective and jump to a completely different level of awareness and development. While children will make these developmental leaps on their own, civilization needs an impulse to move forward. Disruptors can provide that impulse - people who see a bigger "big picture" than the average Joe or Jane.

Disruptors are often seen as heroes of the (business) world, but the truth is that disruption can have negative consequences too. Disrupting a well-established industry or business model can lead to job losses, financial instability, and even social unrest. While it's important to challenge the status quo, it's equally important to do so responsibly. The question, however, is whether it's the responsibility of disruptors or the rest of the world to maintain that responsibility.

In my opinion, the world needs visionaries who can set bigger and seemingly unrealistic goals. Such people help us overcome the next stages of development - from crawling through first steps to running ??

A look back at history's greatest disruptors

Have you ever wondered who the famous and wealthy people with millions of followers are, and why they're considered disruptors ? Does having a large following on social media truly make one a disruptor ? Let's take a step back and consider some historical figures who challenged the status quo and left a lasting impact.

?? Nicolaus Copernicus is one such person – Earth moving, Sun stopping. He only had a few followers back in his day, yet his heliocentric theory challenged the existing beliefs about the universe and paved the way for modern astronomy. Despite his contributions, Copernicus didn't live to see fame, fortune, or inspirational YouTube videos. It was only after his death that his theory was validated.

?? In the Early Modern Period, there were women who practiced medicine without formal education and challenged the existing order in the medical community. These healers were often viewed with suspicion and accused of possessing magical powers. They didn't have the luxury of fame or social media, and their actions came with great risk - someone who can use the power to cure disease can also use it to cause it. Even if they were respected and valued among their patients, a single case of unsuccessful healing or harm caused to a patient could lead to accusations of witchcraft and execution. I'm sure you won't find a YouTube channel with healing tips from any of them.

?? One woman who made a significant impact on the world was Coco Chanel. She revolutionized women's fashion by promoting practical and comfortable designs that departed from the ornate and restrictive styles of the past. But her contributions didn't stop there. Chanel's personal life and nonconformist attitudes were equally groundbreaking. Her fierce independence and commitment to her vision continue to inspire future generations of women and fashion designers today.

?? Let me go back for a moment to my childhood, which was completely different from what the current generations are experiencing. I was able to meet with a group of friends every day after school without making a WhatsApp appointment, without writing dozens of "are you ready" messages to each other, without even calling each other because we didn't have mobile phones. I remember a time when my parents were visited unannounced by their friends - nowadays it would be seen as a faux pas. For many of us and our kids, there is currently no point in leaving the house to see someone before we check it with the other party - because we always have a phone in our pocket, so it's better to check if the other person is where we expect it. If they don't answer us within 3 minutes, then something is wrong.

?? Who made this change of our behavior ? Covid-19 ? No - it was made long time ago, and the key person here is Martin Cooper and his invention of the mobile phone, which made it possible for us to communicate with everyone at any time. We no longer have to wait at home for the phone because we always have it with us. There were many opponents of Cooper's vision for a truly portable and accessible mobile phone but it eventually prevailed, and the rest is history. However, as with any revolution, it is worth questioning whether the changes brought about by the mobile phone have been entirely positive. While we are in theory always connected, we often miss out on the opportunity to connect with others in person, face-to-face. I sometimes miss the old times when I could meet with my friends every day without having to check my phone first.

Looking back at these individuals, it's clear that fame and the social media following aren't the defining factors of a disruptor. Rather, it's their ability to challenge the status quo and leave a lasting impact on the world, regardless of the recognition they receive.

What about those with millions of followers on Social Media?

While there are current disruptors that have emerged through social media and gained millions of followers, it's important to recognize that not everyone who breaks away from the norm deserves the "disruptor" label. However, there is one individual who undoubtedly fits this category and that is Elon Musk. He is a controversial figure in many aspects, and at times, I feel like telling him to ?????????? However, there are also many areas where he has pushed us forward with his visions, and I hope that he will continue to do so in the coming years. His ability to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what's possible is remarkable. Whether it's his work with Tesla, Space-X, Hyperloop, or even SolarCity, Musk has shown a dedication to revolutionizing the way we move ?? and inspiring others to do the same. While some may question the feasibility of his vision of a sustainable future ?? it's a direction worth following, and Musk is accelerating the actions of others with his own actions.

As I mentioned already - sometimes I'm completely fed up with what he says and what he writes... but isn't that what real disruptors are supposed to stand out for ?

Are you ready to live without friends and tasting wine with robot instead ?

Throughout history, many innovators and disruptors have changed the world without the promise of glory, fame, or great fortune. Their perseverance, #creativity and unwavering commitment to their mission drove them forward to change the world. However, in today's world, many people with an aspiration to be innovators (let alone disruptors) focus on monetizing their ideas rather than prioritizing their mission. To be a true disruptor, we must prioritize our mission and be willing to accept the consequences that come with challenging the status quo. This may mean being ostracized by friends or facing controversy. But if we remain steadfast in our mission, we can change the world, just like the historical disruptors before us.

?“Are you willing to break the thing that nobody wants you to break?

Because at that point, people are not gonna be on your side.

They’re gonna call you crazy.

They’re gonna say you’re a bully. They’re gonna tell you to stop.

Even your partner will say, “You need to stop.”

Because as it turns out, nobody wants you to break the system itself.

But that is what true disruption is.”