Disruption has become a common term in business. Technological advancements, shifts in global talent, and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) are continuously reshaping industries. While disruption is often viewed as something to fear, smart leaders see it as an opportunity for growth, innovation, and renewal.
Terence Mauri, a global expert on leadership and disruption, spoke with me about how managers can embrace disruption and leverage the upsides to improve their team’s effectiveness.
Disruption is Opportunity in Disguise
The traditional view of disruption is typically negative—something that breaks the status quo, causing uncertainty and chaos. According to Terence, this perspective is outdated. In fact, he believes that disruption is a “source code for re-imagination, curiosity, and courage.” He explains that while change may feel uncomfortable, it is also the catalyst for growth, learning, and new possibilities.
Prepare For The Future Today
One of the key challenges leaders face is balancing the demands of today with the need to plan for the future. In many organizations, there is a heavy focus on managing for the present. We must meet quarterly targets, complete day-to-day tasks, and address immediate concerns. However, this short-term thinking can come at the expense of long-term growth.
Terence suggests that leaders must shift their attention toward what lies ahead. This focus on the present can stifle innovation and prevent organizations from adapting to new realities. To counter this, managers should allocate time and resources to future-focused strategies, encouraging their teams to embrace change and think ahead.
Be a Simplifier Not a Complexifier
Too many organizations suffer from an excess of meetings, processes, and outdated practices that bog down teams and limit productivity. Unfortunately, many leaders unknowingly add complexity to their teams’ work. To combat this, Terence recommends that organizations adopt a simplification mindset. One way to do this is through what he calls a “Marie Kondo quarter,” where teams focus on eliminating unnecessary processes, meetings, and protocols. Eliminating excess complexity is one of the most powerful forms of disruption because it frees up resources and cognitive energy, allowing teams to focus on high-value work.
Unlock the Power of Self-Disruption
While we often think of disruption as something external such as new technologies or market changes, Terence challenges this notion. He believes that organizations must proactively disrupt themselves by continuously questioning their processes, practices, and assumptions.
Managers can start by engaging their teams to identify the biggest pain points in their teams’ workflows. What processes are outdated? Which meetings are unproductive? Are there tasks that could be automated or eliminated? By asking these questions, teams can identify opportunities for improvement and drive meaningful change within their organizations. And, this democratized approach not only empowers employees but also reduces resistance to change.
Deal with Resistance to Change
Even when change is clearly necessary, it’s not unlikely that you’ll face resistance from your team members. As Terence points out, about half of the global population is naturally change-resistant.
To overcome pushback, Terence suggests taking a phased approach to change. Rather than announcing sweeping reforms all at once, he recommends the group work together to generate potential solutions and then experiment with small changes first. By making changes incrementally and gathering feedback along the way, managers can reduce the perceived risk of disruption and increase buy-in from their teams.
Cultivate a “Beginner’s Mindset”
At the heart of embracing disruption is a culture of curiosity. Terence describes it as being a learner, not a knower, and staying open to new possibilities. Managers who adopt this mindset will not only survive in today’s fast-changing world, but thrive in it. The key is to approach disruption with a sense of curiosity, courage, and collaboration, guiding your team toward a brighter, more resilient future.
Disruption is no longer something to fear. By embracing disruption as an opportunity for growth and a brighter future, managers can turn disruption into a platform for innovation and success.
Listen to the entire episode HERE to learn more about gaining the upside of innovation.
Keep up with Terence Mauri
- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here
- Grab a copy of his book here
- Visit his official website for more information here
Guest Bonus: Discount on the book The Upside Of Disruption: The Path To Leading And Thriving in the Unknown
Terence is providing members of Podcast+ with a discount on his book The Upside Of Disruption: The Path To Leading And Thriving in the Unknown. In the book, you'll find the future-ready insights and tools you need to lead for today and prepare your organization for tomorrow.
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