7 Rules For Rebels, Heretics And Mavericks In Organizations

Innovation is hard, it doesn’t happen by following a tried and true cookie cutter approach. It often begins when someone begins to think and act differently, usually in isolation, from the rest of an organization; challenging convention.

These people are often labeled troublemakers, misfits, mavericks, rebels, heretics and renegades because they undermine authority. But it’s these people who need to be unleashed, embraced and supported in organizations. Rather than being difficult troublemakers, they are the brilliant people who can help shift us into the future.

These rules are taken from a great NASA case study:

rules for rebels in organizations


Bottom line: Rebels are often the catalysts for change and innovation. Ignore them at your own peril.