Consultant Debra Meyerson weighs in on the value to an organization of "men and women who want to succeed in their organizations, yet want to live by their values, ideals, and identities, even if they are somehow at odds with the dominant culture of their organizations."
Excerpt:
When tempered radicals act on their differences, they challenge assumptions about what is normal and introduce practices that meet unaddressed needs. In this process, they push organizations and their members to question conventions and confront impending adaptive challenges. Scholars of leadership, such as Peter Senge from M.I.T. and others, have argued that the most essential element of leadership is the capacity to push groups and systems to confront their adaptive challenges. Whether these pushes come in the form of gentle prods or forceful shoves, they challenge existing cultural practices and create openings for alternatives.
Everyday Leaders: The Power of Difference -- Debra Meyerson full-text article
Posted on May 8, 2002 08:31 AM