The Art of Insubordination : How to Dissent and Defy Effectively

A highly practical and research-based toolbox for anyone who wants to create a world with more justice, creativity, and courage. For too long, the term insubordination has evoked negative feelings and mental images. But for ideas to evolve and societies to progress, it’s vital to cultivate rebels who are committed to challenging conventional wisdom and improving on it. Change never comes easily. And most would-be rebels lack the skills to overcome hostile audiences who cling desperately to the way things are. Based on cutting-edge research, The Art of Insubordination is the essential guide for anyone seeking to be heard, make change, and rebel against an unhealthy status quo. Learn how to • Resist the allure of complacency • Discover the value of being around people who stop conforming and start deviating. • Produce messages that influence the majority– when in the minority. • Build mighty alliances • Manage the discomfort when trying to rebel • Champion ideas that run counter to traditional thinking • Unlock the benefits of being in a group of diverse people holding divergent views • Cultivate curiosity, courage, and independent, critical thinking in youth Filled with engaging stories about dissenters in the trenches as well as science that will transform your thinking. The Art of Insubordination is for anyone who seeks more justice, courage, and creativity in the world. A research-based toolbox for anyone who wants to create a world with more justice, creativity, and courage. For ideas to evolve and for societies to progress, we desperately need rebels to challenge conventional wisdom and improve on it. Unfortunately, most of us fear nonconformists, perceiving them as disloyal, reckless, destructive, or just plain weird . Because most would-be rebels lack the strength and skills to overcome hostile audiences, principled insubordination remains an underleveraged asset in the workplace and public square. Based on cutting-edge research, The Art of Insubordination is the essential guidebook for anyone seeking to be heard, make change, and rebel against an unhealthy, stagnant status quo. The book also gives the rest of us the evidence-based strategies we need to become better allies of our leaders in change, ensuring that the best ideas, products, and solutions survive and win the day. Inside this book lie answers to several questions, including: - What are the most effective ways to express unpopular, important ideas? - How can we help principled rebels be heard and influential? - How can we better manage the discomfort when trying to rebel or interacting with a rebel? Filled with fresh and engaging stories about dissenters in the trenches as well as science that will make you see the world in a different way, The Art of Insubordination is for anyone who wants to see more justice, creativity, inclusion, cultural dynamism, and innovation in the world. A highly practical and researched-based toolbox for anyone who wants to create a world with more justice, creativity, and courage. For too long, the term insubordination has evoked negative feelings and mental images. But for ideas to evolve and societies to progress, it’s vital to cultivate rebels who are committed to challenging conventional wisdom and improving on it. Change never comes easily. And most would-be rebels lack the skills to overcome hostile audiences who cling desperately to the way things are. Based on cutting-edge research, The Art of Insubordination is the essential guide for anyone seeking to be heard, make change, and rebel against an unhealthy status quo. Learn how to Resist the allure of complacency Discover the value of being around people who stop conforming and start deviating. Produce messages that influence the majority— when in the minority. Build mighty alliances Manage the discomfort when trying to rebel Champion ideas that run counter to traditional thinking Unlock the benefits of being in a group of diverse people holding divergent views Cultivate curiosity, courage, and independent, critical thinking in youth Filled with engaging stories about dissenters in the trenches as well as science that will transform your thinking. The Art of Insubordination is for anyone who seeks more justice, courage, and creativity in the world. Contents Preface: Is This Book for You? PART I IN PRAISE OF INSUBORDINATION 1 The Critical Importance of Cartwheeling in the Library 2 The Strange Things We Do to Be Liked How we’re wired to fit in 3 Renegades Rock Why principled rebellion matters so much PART II THE NON-CONFORMIST’S COOKBOOK 4 Talk Persuasively How to win over an audience of skeptical conformists 5 Attract People Who’ve Got Your Back How to off-load some of the pressure while defying the status quo 6 Build Mental Fortitude How to handle the negative emotions and pangs of rejection when rebelling 7 Win Responsibly How to prevent moral hypocrisy if and when you become the new majority PART III HARNESSING DISOBEDIENCE 8 Engage the Outrageous How to overcome barriers that prevent us from heeding unconventional ideas 9 Extract Wisdom from “Weirdos” How to cultivate rebel-friendly cultures in group settings 10 Raising Insubordinate Kids Evidence-based strategies for training the next generation of heroes in waiting Epilogue Whipping Up Your Next Rebellion Masterpiece How to get started with the non-conformist’s cookbook Acknowledgments Notes Index