In Pursuit of Principled Changemaking

You can be an inspiring changemaker without aiming for a larger-than-life wave of impact. By bringing positive change within your own sphere of influence, whether that's your neighborhood, community, or family, you become a shaper of history. Even small actions can have a significant impact on individual lives and, by extension, on groups and society as a whole.

According to Todd Kashdan , a prominent psychology expert and author of The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively , finding a balance between large-scale and small-scale changes instills a greater sense of purpose and the belief that we can make a difference every day when we wake up.

In the quest for change (and the rejection of conformity), Todd suggests following a path of principled rebellion that centers on authentic action and employs methods and approaches that are genuinely effective.

The ‘Math’ Behind Successful Changemaking

Is it odd to think there's a math formula behind successful changemaking? Todd argues that it boils down to one thing: distinguishing.

Everyone believes they're principled in their rebellions against the status quo. But the key is distinguishing between the approaches that work and those that don't. Todd suggests that by turning this into a mathematical formula, we can figure out where we need to step in to change cultures and individuals, so they're more inclined to do good for the world instead of being complacent.

Here's the formula he proposes for ‘Principled Insubordination’:

(Deviance + Authenticity + Contribution) / Social Pressure

Deviance is the first part. It's about going against norms, rules, or authority figures that you see as obstacles to your well-being or the well-being of others. This is the foundation.

Authenticity means you're pursuing something because it's essential to your identity and values, not just to gain social approval. It's about acting on your core values, whether it's justice, fairness, reducing harm, protecting the environment, or being compassionate and forgiving. When your actions align with these deep values, you become a principled rebel.

Contribution is the last part of the numerator. It's easy to point out problems, but are you working to bridge the gap between how the world is and how you think it should be? This positive approach is crucial to being a principled rebel.

Watch this clip where Todd Kashdan talks about pursuing principled changemaking.

Non-Conformity and Friction

The denominator in the equation is social pressure. It's the pressure to conform to the group. Todd explains it this way:

“If I respond to your question with an outlandish response where I just start talking about my favorite music and moves, I make the social interaction more difficult for you. It requires you to make more effort. It’s awkward, it’s cringeworthy and then whatever you respond back to me is going to be difficult for me. So, we will both be expending a ton of energy if we don’t conform to a little bit of semi-structure in our conversation. Conformity has its benefits and people push you to be conformist because you make the world less effortful.”

Todd advises that to be socially accepted, to adhere to the prevailing belief systems, is to willingly relinquish the courage to resist the siren call of conformity. Embracing the friction inherent in non-conformity becomes the harbinger of societal evolution.

When to Share Your Ideas: Timing Matters

Todd points out that while we might recognize problems in society and have solutions, society might not be ready to hear them. He uses Galileo's story as an example.

Galileo's assertion that the Earth revolves around the sun, not the other way around, got him in trouble with the church. His idea wasn't just rejected; it was considered heretical, leading to his imprisonment and the destruction of his work. It took the church 200 years to reconcile with his ideas, and only in the 1980s did they officially forgive him. This shows how society can be resistant to new ideas, even when they're based on facts.

This lesson extends to other aspects of society. We need to consider when it's the right time to share our ideas and how to do it without overwhelming others with information they may not be ready to accept. It's essential not to assume that everyone has the same level of knowledge or expertise, and finding a way to bridge that gap is the real challenge.

Becoming a Changemaker

Within the corporate space, cultivating a culture that encourages changemaking offers numerous advantages to organizations. It not only bolsters their adaptability but also elevates their success rates in executing change initiatives. Additionally, it nurtures a robust leadership pipeline, equipping them to confront future business challenges effectively.

In Mentora's changemaking training with clients like Accenture, we have observed that certain actions, such as crafting a compelling change vision , influencing key stakeholders by appealing to their values, and instigating shifts in mindset to ignite change within individuals, have a substantial impact. This is in line with the principled rebellion or changemaking that Todd Kashdan proposes as the key to societal revolution. These actions foster improved collaboration and enhanced performance. Consequently, they amplify the likelihood of success for organizations, reduce implementation timelines, boost employee engagement, and elevate employee retention rates.

As you ponder further, think of how your company or community can embrace a culture that encourages innovation and change for higher success rates in transformation efforts and a more robust leadership development system for future challenges. Review the formula that Todd offers and chart out your change vision using this framework.

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