Stability and Change: The power of disruption

The power of disruption.

Routine and habits are good. They give us stability and help us align our values and goals with our action. But there are times when routine can lead to monotony. Have your ever had your phone tell you that it knows where you are about to drive or your Fitbit tell you that you should get ready for bed? Many of us are predictable. Most days we walk and drive the exact same pathways, including the commute to work, where we park, what door we walk into, what bathroom we visit at work, and what other offices we visit. We also attend meetings, mostly boring, and have shallow, but friendly interactions with others. Sometimes disruption can spark creativity, meaning and joy.

I purposefully do little things to mix it up — buy a kiwi this week instead of my regular bananas, park in another part of town and take a walk in a neighborhood that is new to me, or have a date night at the trampoline gym. I often find ways to make conversations with friends, coworkers and acquaintances more meaningful than basic banter. These experiences are fun, sometimes lead to new relationships or connections, and diversify my experiences.

I also like to create positive disruption at work. People come to meetings expecting them to be boring. I like to plan meetings to be interactive and creative. For an online retreat I hosted I provided packets for pick up prior to the retreat that included the materials, but also snacks and bubbles to blow on screen when you heard a great idea. I may ask a team member to start a meeting with a journaling activity or pick something current for us to read and ask every person to comment in the chat. I like to offer walking meetings as an option, where appropriate. Or find a cool location in the work setting or nearby to have a meeting. I know most people at organizations where I work because I walk around and see them in their spaces. I bring finance forms or documents to the HR or finance office instead of just dropping an email or interoffice mail. It is fun to meet and recognize the “behind the scenes” team members. These little shifts seem to engage different parts of people’s brains and spark creativity and connection.

There are always ways to create positive disruption in more systemic ways. Invite an employee or customer to share their direct experience with executive leadership or a board. Invite a motivational leader to pop into a zoom meeting. Bring market or customer data and spark conversation about what it is telling us. Start a leadership meeting with space for sharing of wins or gratitude for each other.

I have been called “cheesy” and “extra,” but I embrace that. My divergent ways are not just to be silly or fun. I have seen them build relationships and space for creativity and joy. They take some extra time and thought, but it is worth it.