I AM A REBEL, SO I CALL FOR A REBELLION

In this manifest I want, among other things, wake you up to let you realize why deviating from the status quo is actually beneficial for you, but also for your boss. Ask yourself why you choose to conform in situations? Stress the importance to REBEL against the status quo and encourage you to do the same! But before I start, I want to take a little trip with you. I do this because I think it is important that you become aware of the particular circumstances, and then, in particular conformity. 

So, why do you conform actually? That is not an easy question, is it? Well, from a young-age you have learned that tangible benefits arise from following social rules about how to act, what to say, how to behave, and so on. Conforming makes you feel accepted and part of the majority. 

An old classic research which was conducted in the 1950s showed that conformity to peer pressure is so powerful it occurs even when we know it will lead us to make bad decisions (McLeod, 2008).

Conformity also occurs within your work. How? Well, through expressing appropriate emotions, agreeing with other opinions from supervisors, acquiescing to a team’s poor decision and so on. This all is understandable, you are not the only one, everyone does it. BUT there is a downside because if you bow to peer pressure, then it reduces your engagement with your job, maybe even without you noticing this. 

Conforming often conflicts with your real preferences and beliefs and therefore makes you feel inauthentic (Gino, Kouchaki,& Galinsky, 2015).

The danger of you becoming too comfortable with the status quo at your work is that it affects your performance. It could work impeded, decrease your engagement, and constrain your ability to innovate or to perform at a high level. Maybe you are already in this stage? Do you feel validated and reassured when you stick with your usual way of thinking and doing? If yes is your answer than I have some bad news. You are part of the feared status quo. 

We weigh the potential losses of deviating from the status quo much more massively than we make the potential gains (Gino, 2016).

But what is now the actual danger of the status quo? Well, conformity does not only refers to you, but also to the companies where you work. The ultimate consequence of a too comfortable status quo environment within companies can be devastating. 

Blackberry, MySpace, Polaroid and countless more experienced a doomsday scenario. One day they all had a champion method, but they stuck with the status quo which ultimately lead to stagnation in the form of not updating their strategies until it was too late for them.

Thus, your employer needs your help to avoid this doom scenario. It is more relevant than you might think. Your crazy, unconventional, out-of-the-box ideas matter more than ever! 

Companies need to innovate to survive the transition into the new Smart Industry era. Companies which don’t respond to this development on time run the risk of not surviving (Vermeend, 2014).

You can make the difference, you can change it. And that is why I call for rebel against the status quo. How difficult it may seem, you can make the difference! 

Hence, use your power. Let us hear from you. 

Let’s hear what you want. 

Let’s hear why you want it.

Let’s hear what you need. 

Let’s hear if you need help. 

Let your boss hear from you next time when you see him. From that moment you take your first step into the rebellion. Hurray! That day is the day that you determine the direction of your company. And damn you must take that opportunity. 

It is simple. 

Normally others decide what you do or they tell you what needs to be done. With a bit of luck you have a say in how you do this. And that is nice. But it can be more fun. 

Through this rebellion I want to achieve that rebels take the lead again. Literally!
From tomorrow you do not continue your work, no mail, no spreadsheets, no it must be done. From tomorrow you. take. the. lead.
Now it is on you to determine what is best. 

Are you in? 

By sharing this manifest, you actually are saying:
I REBEL AGAINST THE STATUS QUO.
I REBEL AGAINST OTHERS WHO TRY TO DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS NOT.
I REBEL AGAINST THE IDEA THAT MY IDEAS ARE STRANGE AND WILL NOT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. 

YES.
I AM A REBEL.
I ANSWER THE CALL FOR A REBELLION. 

Good luck!

On behalf of your subconscious who secretly wants to rebel