‘Positive deviants’: Why rebellious workers spark great ideas

For individual rebels, it might be worth considering your own motivations. As chief rebel and industry slayer Steve Jobs advised the 2005 Stanford University graduating class in his commencement speech, we have to look inside to find what we truly love, and then go for it. When we do something that we love, this emotional commitment will drive us to do the right thing when the situation warrants it, even when others are opposed to what we are doing or do not see things the way we do. If we can connect with others who also have the drive to improve things and to create new capabilities, even better; there is strength in common purpose. Ken Kutaragi - the man behind the PlayStation - could count on Sony CEO Norio Ohga, who was himself a rebel at heart. Ohga led Sony to great success during his tenure between 1982 and 1995, summarising his approach as pursuing the unconventional: "We are always chasing after things other companies won't touch". Rebels may have a bad reputation, but in the right environment, and with the right motivations, they can achieve amazing things.