Working with leaders and teams on their innovation and transformation initiatives, has taught me that successful innovators are not mavericks. They are not rebels who ignore the rules, defy the system and change the world.
If you are driving a transformative idea, thinking that you are a maverick might be a great story to tell yourself, but it’s not a useful one.
I have challenged the idea that having bold ideas means that you have to be difficult to work with. There are people who confuse being unconventional with being uncooperative. The result is a group of innovators who think friction is a virtue. That being misunderstood is proof they’re onto something big.
Sometimes that’s true. But more often, it’s just a sign you don’t know how to work well with others. As such, you haven’t built credibility or trust with your colleagues.
The truth is that bringing transformative ideas to life is a team sport.
Sociologist Ronald Burt found that the most creative people aren’t isolated geniuses; they’re network brokers. They act as bridges between disconnected groups in a social network. These brokers gain a competitive advantage by facilitating the flow of information and new ideas between groups. This allows them to develop social capital and often leads to greater rewards like promotions and recognition
Brewer’s Optimal Distinctiveness Theory argues that people are motivated by two competing needs. The desire to belong to a group and the desire to be unique. The most satisfying outcome is when they belong to a group that offers a balance between these two needs.
And yet the myth of the maverick is still seductive. It flatters your ego. It gives you an identity as the misunderstood visionary. You start leaning too far into your uniqueness. You need to balance this out with being a good member of the group.
You can’t build momentum by constantly fighting everyone in the system. You build momentum by turning some people in the system into your allies.
So the goal isn’t to be a maverick. It is to be a creator of momentum. Someone who can have bold ideas in one hand and create strong relationships in the other.
So here is a better playbook for innovation and transformational leaders:
- Be bold, not abrasive. Learn how to build bridges with your colleagues.
- Invest in allies early. You will need champions to help you create momentum.
- Win people, not arguments. You don’t get buy-in by being right; you get it by being trusted.
Always remember that driving change is not about pushing people to participate, but attracting people to your initiative by creating momentum.