The 8 Principles of Rebel Leadership

1. Seek out the new. It’s important to break away from routine and find inspiration in unlikely places. For business leaders, this could mean introducing employees to things that aren’t obviously related to the organization.

2. Encourage constructive dissent. We often seek out the opinions most likely to match ours, but rebels fight that instinct, finding ways to encourage conflict and disagreement.

3. Open conversations, don’t close them. Rebels are willing to keep an open mind.

4. Reveal yourself – and reflect. Rebel leaders focus on their strengths, but are honest about their weaknesses and make an effort to be mindful of both.

5. Learn everything – then forget everything. Successful rebels understand the importance of mastering the fundamentals of their industry, but never become slaves to the rules.

6. Find freedom in constraints. Many people think they can’t innovate because the parameters of their job are too rigid. Rebels work through and even find inspiration in constraints.

7. Lead from the trenches. Rebel leaders are willing to get their hands dirty, and their employees respect them for that.

8. Foster happy accidents. Rebels know the value of a happy accident. They believe in workspaces and teams that cross-pollinate, and realize that a mistake can unlock a breakthrough.