tera wozniak qualls

From the photostream of pasotraspaso

The easiest thing to do as a leader is the same thing that has always been done.  Not challenging the status quo is simpler and less controversial, but it definitely won’t help you grow.  As a young leader, it is essential to challenge the status quo.  Even in an organization where challenging the leader is not viewed well, there are always opportunities to do so.

Developing new systems for your organization, creating new programs, and strategic planning are a few arenas in which challenging the status quo can be easy.  In an organization that has always just used email, suggest using online chats for quick conversations, or suggest trying a new plan to reach a strategic goal.  Doing these things will give you the opportunity to show your boss you have an initiative and allow you the chance to try out something new.

Taking the opportunity to bring challenges beyond the above situations will give you a chance to grow even further.  Like Sam Davidson mentioned in his blog “I’m Just Saying” every great leader has to start somewhere.  This includes sharing their voice at the beginning.

Stop to think right now about all the great leaders you know who have challenged the status quo.  You can probably name at least five and if you took the time the list could grow to 100s.  We wouldn’t have women voting, civil rights, peanut butter or double beds if someone didn’t take the first step against the norm at one time.

Challenging the status quo doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  In my life it’s the small battles I wage.  I try to push the status quo through involving emerging leaders, asking questions in meetings that include our executive staff, riding my bike to work or the store in a city where this is just becoming a trend, and asking the questions others may be afraid to.  These are just a few examples, but things I do every day to push for change little by little.

You can challenge the status quo by:

Asking questions in large groups…

Starting a project with a community organization that hasn’t been done before…

Encouraging other emerging leaders to speak up at work and in the community…

And challenging the leader that has always led. (Be sure to pick your battles wisely)

If you’re as gutsy as Lincoln, Chavez, or Karenina you may push for a revolution in your community, but I challenge you to start small.  Take small steps every day to help you learn new techniques and your own personal style.

How do you challenge the status quo?  Let us know by commenting or using the hash tag #devleadership