What Iceland Teaches You about Leading in Disruption

The small island nation of Iceland found itself at the forefront of a crisis—the 2008-2009 Great Recession. As the global economy crumbled, Iceland's central banks collapsed, resulting in the largest systemic banking failure in history relative to the nation's size. Reykjavík, the capital, was hit especially hard. Businesses stalled, tourism dried up, and one of the most visible symbols of this economic disaster was the Harpa concert hall—a cultural centerpiece in the making, left as an abandoned construction site at the water's edge.

But amidst the chaos, two leaders decided to disrupt the narrative. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, then Minister of Education, Science, and Culture, alongside Mayor Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir, saw the potential for Harpa to symbolize resilience rather than failure. In 2009, despite the economic turmoil, they disrupted the status quo, resuming construction on the halted project. By May 4, 2011, Harpa opened its doors, becoming a powerful symbol of Iceland’s recovery.

Leading Through Disruption

A few years later, I had the privilege of standing on the stage at Harpa, speaking to an audience of over 500 leaders. The picture above shows me sharing that moment with the Prime Minister as we reflected on what leadership through disruption can achieve. That day reinforced for me that stepping up in moments of disruption allows leaders to deliver something exceptional.

Building Something Amazing in Disruptive Times

As you lead yourself and others, you, too, can build something amazing—even in the face of disruption. Disruptive moments can be the best time to create something you wouldn’t have pursued during times of stability. I have led?The Disruption Project?at Vanderbilt University for the last two years. In that role, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with 350 people from around the world—ranging from unsung heroes to household names—each of whom has built something incredible in the face of disruption.

These days, I’m honored to bring the stories of these disruptors to organizations, inspiring, encouraging, and challenging them to step up and disrupt. Recently, I started my week in Detroit, speaking to Community Financial Credit Union ?at their annual offsite, where their CEO, Tansley Stearns , shared a bold vision for the organization and the strategy to make it happen.

I followed Tansley's presenttion and discussed how executing their strategy would require a room full of positive disruptors willing to step up and deliver, even in the toughest moments. We explored how to discern the right course of action in disruptive times, the key behaviors that consistently lead to success, and the remarkable achievements they could accomplish. We also discussed the importance of stepping back and assessing progress along the way. It was a great discussion and an inspiring day for me.

If you’d like to hear more, I would love to deliver the?Disrupt Everything?presentation to your organization or group. Reach out to my colleagues, Canesha Appleton and Michele Lucia , to learn more.

Go forth and disrupt everything!

Patrick

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