Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work

There has never been a more interesting, exciting time to work in technology-fueled business transformation. The turbo-charged pace of change unlocks tremendous new opportunities. It seems like every day brings a new startup, a new technology, a new way of working, a new innovation. Many industries—from financial services to publishing—face massive shifts in their businesses, increased competition, and significant changes in customer behavior and expectations. The scale and pace of the change is without precedent. Much has been written about this digital disruption and the business strategies and tactics to address it. But, what of the associated human dimension and sometimes the human cost?Whitney Johnson’s new book, Disrupt Yourself, couldn’t be better timed to address this urgent question. For so many of us, the pace of change can seem simultaneously exhilarating and overwhelming. In response, Whitney lends her wise, insightful voice to illustrate how disruptive innovation frameworks can be applied to our own particular lives and careers. Thriving during this time of change also means pushing ourselves out of comfort zones and accelerating lifelong learning.Among the ideas and advice Whitney shares in the book, two in particular resonated with me the most:Resist entitlement. As we grow in our careers and accumulate achievements, many of us develop a sense that we are entitled to success and associated rewards. After years of effort, the school we attended, the degree we earned, the certifications we achieved, the promotions gained, the titles and raises awarded can accumulate to give us the sense that we deserve something more from life. And, that actually works against our learning and development. Due to the scale and pace of change, those who succeed in the digital and social era will be those who make ongoing learning a priority, and resisting any sense of entitlement--staying humble and grateful--supports that quest.Disrupt yourself before disrupting others. For those leading innovation and change efforts in established companies, starting new businesses, or consulting to help firms with digital transformation, Whitney reminds us that change begins with each of us, at a personal level. Similar to “the buck stops here,” we now must think in terms of “the change starts here.” We must first change ourselves in order to help others and our organizations change. Whitney writes:“Most of us are brimming with the confidence, even competence, to change the world. It is vital that we are also equipped with the humility to understand that changing the world and keeping innovation alive require that we change ourselves.”I had the opportunity to read Disrupt Yourself over a fall weekend at the beach, a perfect time and place for reading and reflection. As with so much of Whitney’s writing and good advice over the years, this book challenged my thinking and reminded me of what’s really important as I pursue my own journey of personal disruption. I will be recommending Disrupt Yourself to friends, colleagues and clients.

Insightful and wonderful read for anyone ready to make a big change (or those simply thinking about it). Also this is a great book for anyone craving to make their mark in business, ready to make a bigger impact on the world or otherwise just wanting to live a more passionate, authentic existence. I definitely enjoyed it! I was lucky to interview Whitney and ask her a few questions about the book. Quick excerpt here:Q: I love how you discussed an important factor in terms of hyper growth of personal disruption – “embracing constraint”. Creative individuals often don’t like to hear the word “constraint” but why is it so valuable?A: Whenever we start something new, most of us want lots of feedback on how we are doing, as quickly as possible. One of the best ways to get that feedback, or information as to what’s working, is to impose constraints. Yes, it’s counter-intuitive. As you undertake a new project, you think you want complete freedom, a blank canvas, page, screen, and even more time. But consider a skate boarder. They are some of the quickest learners in the world because they receive incredibly fast and useful feedback. Every action, every move has an immediate consequence. For me personally, I find it much harder to write a piece when I can write about anything I want. But give me a topic, a deadline, and a set number of words, and I’m off. Said famed dancer / choreographer Twyla Tharp, “Whom the gods wish to destroy, the give unlimited resources.”Q: So many women business owners want to create a meaningful business that creates real impact. How is disrupting yourself one way to effectively do this?A: When you disrupt yourself, you are trying something new, focusing on who you can become, not on who you are, moving from stuck to unstuck. When you learn, you get a squirt of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you happy. It literally feels good to disrupt yourself. Because emotions are contagious, when you are willing to take risks and are happier for having done so, the people around you are too. Because companies and organizations don’t disrupt, people do, your willingness and ability to take risks, makes it possible for your company to be innovative, to play where others aren’t. A company that is innovative creates jobs, and lots of them. Note too that because women have spent much of their professional lives playing where others aren’t, and are perennially under-resourced, we are instinctively good disruptors. Or as Margaret Thatcher might have said, “If you want to disrupt, go ask a woman.” at http://www.showcasingwomen.com/interview-whitney-johnson/ Read more

As I transition between jobs and realise much of my work life has been a series of active disruptions I brought on myself, I can't but feeling so blessed to have stumbled in this little great reading which shows clearly how to recognise the signs of disruption, how one's life brigs evidence forward of spiking up a growth curve and when it is too late as disruption comes from outside. Whichever it is your current situation, it is never too late to embrace your most "creative and innovative" self and embark on the journey of a lifetime! I do and can't wait to get into the thick of it! Great gift also for the many out there who may have lost their jobs or are considering "leaping" - use this book as your parachute! :-) EXCELLENT!!!

Really enjoyable read, many times the writer could continued a point unnecessarily but instead got to the point and moved on. It was a quick and interesting read .I would certainly recommend this book to people who feel opportunity is around but don't understand how to capitalise on those possible opportunities

Expected more. The concept of using S-curves as a model for considering change and learning is sound, but I found the text light and the book short. Felt more like a long essay.

In “Disrupt Yourself”, Whitney Johnson masterfully weaves cutting-edge neuroscience research and business cases to help us disrupt ourselves to achieve personal growth. Her ideas challenge many of the established ideas and personal career advice many of us amass during our careers and turns them on their head. The book also provides practical exercises, tools and questions that enable these mindset shifts to occur.Thought-provoking content includes knowing where to play and identifying and using your distinctive strengths to meet unmet needs instead of working extensively on weaknesses to earn marginal returns. The ability to leverage constraints as a way to earn quick feedback was new to me as was the process needed to identify and create opportunities and abundance in times when scarcity is great. Finally, despite conventional wisdom, a jungle gym approach to career management was refreshing and included discussions on stepping down, back or sideways in order to grow.

This book shows the Why to change and the When to do it! Excellent to think about where we are in our lives and why is important to think different and stop the routine!