"Now is the time for revolutionaries who rebel through art , creativity and healing rather than destruction. Everything that has made you an outcast in the old world has prepared you to be a leader in the new one."
James Mcrae
From the moment we take our first step outside the lines, society teaches us that being different is dangerous. Questioning the status quo? Too risky. Breaking the mold? How dare you make others uncomfortable. And yet, time and again, the rebellious people who push back and challenge the norm are the ones who change the world for the better.
Disruptors are the backbone of social progress. They refuse to accept "the way things have always been done" as the way things should be now or in the future. So driven by a relentless pursuit of justice, efficiency, and creativity they forge new paths, often sacrificing their reputation and safety for the greater good.
"Well-behaved women seldom make history.”
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Identifying The Change-Agents
Pioneer
Patriot
Revolutionary
Non-conformist
Innovator
Inventor
Warrior
Trouble-maker
Trailblazer
Change-maker
Game-changer
Rebel
Whatever you call them, Disruptors are not the type to stay quiet and hidden. They command attention, not because their ego requires it, but because they demand meaningful progress and measureable improvement for themselves, and others.
Disruptors play a crucial role in driving progress and fostering a dynamic environment in both workplaces and society for several reasons:
1. Innovation: They challenge the status quo and bring new ideas, products, or processes that can lead to improved efficiency and effectiveness.
2. Adaptability: Disruptors encourage organizations to be more flexible and responsive to change, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
3. Competition: By introducing new solutions, they can stimulate competition, which often leads to better quality and lower prices for consumers.
4. Diversity: Disruptors often come from varied backgrounds and perspectives, promoting diversity and inclusion in problem-solving.
5. Inspiration: Their boldness can inspire others to think outside the box and pursue their own innovative ideas.
6. Progress: Disruptors can address societal challenges by creating solutions that improve quality of life, such as advancements in technology, healthcare, and sustainability.
What does this look like day to day?
Unshakable Conviction – Disruptors don’t back down when they know something is wrong. They challenge outdated norms and fight for change, even when it makes them unpopular.
Fearless Curiosity – They ask hard questions. They push past surface-level answers. They are not content with "good enough."
Resilience in the Face of Resistance – Change is hard, and disruptors often face rejection, criticism, and even sabotage. Yet, they persist because their vision matters more than others' opinions.
Strategic Thinking – Not every battle is worth fighting. The best disruptors learn to choose their battles wisely, channeling their energy where it will have the most impact.
A Deep Sense of Justice – Whether in the workplace or society, disruptors challenge systems that uphold inequality, inefficiency, or complacency.
“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers. Our power is in our ability to make things unworkable. The only weapon we have is our bodies. And we need to tuck them in places so wheels don’t turn.”
Bayard Rustin
Heroes in History
Across history, courageous leaders have reshaped the world, proving that society often punishes those who challenge it, only to later recognize them as heroes.
Harriet Tubman was a criminal in the eyes of slaveholders, yet she led hundreds to freedom.
Joan of Arc was executed for heresy before becoming a saint.
Angela Davis was vilified before becoming a celebrated advocate for justice.
Frida Kahlo rejected societal norms and redefined art, feminism, and identity.
Reminder: 'Following the rules' doesn’t make you a good person if the rules are harmful. The law has never been a perfect measure of morality, and in the past have even been used to justify cruelty. Never be afraid to stand up for what is right in your heart.
The Role of Disruptors in the Workplace
In the modern workplace, disruptors are frequently misunderstood, judged and labeled even though they are often the ones driving innovation and long-term success.
Disruptors recognize inefficiencies and seek better, more efficient, productive ways to work. They don’t just accept outdated policies and the status quo; they challenge them. They bring diversity of thought, force necessary conversations, and ultimately push businesses to evolve in ways that benefit everyone.
The Sad Truth: Corporate environments and organizational systems and structures rarely want critical innovators. They want quiet little worker bees who simply do what they’re told
Disruptors have always been a threat to the patriarchy and other oppressive systems, which is why so much effort goes into keeping them distracted or subdued. One of the most effective ways to stifle rebellion isn’t through overt suppression but through economic control—keeping wages low, costs high, and workers exhausted just trying to survive.
When people are too drained to fight for change, innovation and resistance are stifled before they can take root. It’s a system so effective, so seamless, that one might suspect it was designed precisely to keep disruptors too busy struggling to upend the very structures that hold them down.
Thankfully history shows that even under immense pressure, disruptors find ways to rise, proving that the drive for change is one force that cannot be fully contained.
Signs you are a Disruptor or Change Agent: Your ideas regularly get pushback. You often feel misunderstood. Your instinct is to fix problems, not just work around them. You're never satisfied with the status quo.
Positive Reframes
Unfortunately conflict, stress and tension is part of being a Disruptor. It's normal for colleagues or managers to feel threatened, resistant or unsure about change or new ideas. It's normal for others to want to play it safe, to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their ignorance.
You're here for something different. Don't let them dim your light!
Understanding the different types of thinkers and doers can help you navigate the inevitable stress that comes with being a Disruptor.
Stay resilient, but also avoid emotionally investing too much if the hill turns out to be too large to climb. If the situation becomes toxic or unhealthy, be prepared to pause or pivot, changing enrivonments altogether to find somewhere supportive to share your gifts.
At the end of the day the most important thing is being true to yourself and having the courage to be disliked or misunderstood. Know thyself, and Love thyself!
The reframes below can help quiet the inner critic within. Let's shift the perspective from perceived flaws and unfair criticisms toward underlying strengths and growth:
Defiant → Free-thinking, courageous, willing to challenge the status quo
Stubborn → Determined, persistent, committed to values
Indecisive → Thoughtful, reflective, open to possibilities
Difficult → Discerning, principled, not easily swayed
Contrary → Thought-provoking, independent thinker, brings fresh perspectives
Risk-taker → Bold, adventurous, willing to grow
Hard to please → Holds high standards, values quality
Not a team player → Self-sufficient, values autonomy, selectively collaborative
"If you’re the black sheep—the one who doesn’t fit, the one who questions, the one who refuses to just go along—know this: You are not alone. What you’re doing matters. The discomfort, the loneliness, the frustration—it’s the weight of change. And change is never easy. But it is always worth it. Being a black sheep can be painful but powerful. You are the courageous one who dares to be different and in that alone, you have the potential to change everything. "
Sonali Pamnani Jhabakh
Embracing the Disruptor Within
If you've ever felt like the black sheep—the one who doesn’t fit, the one who questions everything, the one who refuses to settle—know this: You are not alone.
The discomfort and heaviness you feel is the WEIGHT OF CHANGE. And change is never easy, but it is always worth it.
Let them label you, judge you or misunderstand you. History and generations to come will remember and thank you.
So stand your ground, fight for what matters, and never shrink yourself to fit in. Your voice matters and the world needs you exactly as you are.
"Surround yourself with the dreamers...and the disruptors.
The artists who reimagine reality.
The creatives who bend and break the rules.
The wierdos who know its only weird until it's cool.
The multipassionates who want to learn and do everything The visionaries who see unlimited possibility.
The compassionate who care deeply about humanity
The innovators who want to solve big problems
The people make a measurable impact.
The change-makers. The optimists. The bold. The unique
Surround yourself with those willing to their brilliance with the world."
Annie Petsche
Erin Ratliff is a holistic, organic growth + visibility business coach and consultant serving energy-sensitive soul-preneurs, heart-led self-starters with the mission of personal and planetary healing.
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