The term “disruptor” has taken on an entirely new meaning in the 21st century. Once reserved for streakers and class clowns, it’s now a title fought over by amped-up entrepreneurs and ambitious CEOs the world over. And with good reason.
Disruptors innovate so effectively they shake up their industries, often creating new markets in the process. Who wouldn’t want to make such a mark on the world? Of course, to earn the title, you must do more than just disturb the status quo. The following steps will help you develop the foundations needed to become a genuine game-changer.
1. Surround yourself with the right people
Hone your ability to find people who share your drive, values, mission, and passion. The best managed service providers for your business may not be the ones sitting at the top of the search engine results. They may be the smaller operation a few rungs down that has a commitment to eco-friendly operations. The best graphic designer may not be the most qualified or experienced candidate but the one whose passion you can see shining through from their limited portfolio.
Only you can answer the question of who the “right” people are for your mission in life, so don’t rush your decisions. Spend time researching suppliers and talking to potential employees or business partners, and trust your instincts.
2. Be the right people
There’s no morality built-in to the concept of disruption – you could change the game for better or worse, and you’d still be remembered as a game-changer. However, if you’d rather not be referred to as “the most hated person in tech”, then it’s important to ensure that you have values and morals underpinning your mission.
If growth will come at the cost of other people’s health, freedom, and happiness, you need to have an emergency stop button in that entrepreneurial mind of yours. There will be many tough calls ahead of you, so it’s crucial that you stick to a moral code you can be proud of.
3. Change your perspective
To change the game, you have to find a way to step out of the grip of its rules and see it from a never-before accessed angle. As simple as the concept is, it’s surprisingly hard to fully break out of your habitual ways of thinking.
Philosophers like Jacques Derrida offer methods for deconstructing and examining commonly held beliefs and practices from new angles. The tech world has also slipped into a honeymoon period with psychedelics due to their ability to inspire fresh ways of thinking about everyday things. However, the simple approach of talking to people outside of your industry is often the most effective.
4. Mine other industries for ideas
Building on the point above, ideas that are commonplace in one industry could revolutionize another – it just takes someone to spot the link and migrate the idea over. So, explore other fields of interest that spark your curiosity, and learn as much as you can. You never know – you could be one page turn away from your game-changing concept.
5. Think like your customer
There’s no point in changing the game just for the sake of being different. This isn’t the kind of disruption that will do any good in the world. So, instead of focusing on your desire to be a thought leader, focus on your customers. Understand what their daily lives are like, and your eyes will be opened to the ideas that could transform their lives for the better.
The steps above are just the beginning of your path to becoming a game-changer. We wish you the best of luck!