book

Rebels at Work

by Lois Kelly, Carmen Medina, Debra Cameron

November 2014

Beginner to intermediate

182 pages

4h 16m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Praise for Rebels at Work
Preface
Whom This Handbook Is ForWhat’s in This HandbookHow to Use This HandbookWhat You’ll LearnWill You Pay It Forward?Conventions Used in This BookSafari® Books OnlineHow to Contact UsAcknowledgmentsA Word from LoisA Word from Carmen
1. Good Rebels, Great Work
Who Are These Good Rebels?In a World Without RebelsOrganizational Silence: We Don’t Really Want Your IdeasSomebody Do SomethingQuestions to Ponder
2. What Makes Me a Rebel at Work?
Good Rebel from Birth?Rebels Along the WayThree Common Rebel TendenciesBeing a Future ThinkerWorking AheadBeing DifferentAccidental RebelsPatient-Advocate RebelsCorporate Social Responsibility RebelsQuestions to Ponder
3. Gaining Credibility
Understanding Your BossWhat Worries Your Boss?R-E-S-P-E-C-TListen Closely to Pick Up Important SignalsBuild a Rebel AllianceIncreasing Our TrustworthinessQuestions to Ponder
4. Navigating the Organizational Landscape
How Do Things Really Work?What Is Most Valued?How Are Decisions Made?What are the business cycles?How are resources allocated for new projects?Why Do People Say No?The Five WhysWhat’s Their Perspective?Which Relationships Are Especially Important?Work Politics: Four Types of People You May MeetBureaucratic black beltsTugboat pilotsBenevolent bureaucratsWind surfersDeveloping Good RelationshipsRespect other viewsEmpathize: What’s it like to be them?Ways to Avoid Organizational TrapsDon’t ImproviseSay Thank YouHave You Mastered the Organizational Landscape?Questions to Ponder
5. Communicating Your Ideas
Show What’s at StakePaint a PictureShow That the Idea Can Really WorkBe Positive and PithyBuild SupportThe Ten Percent RuleGauging the Reaction to Your IdeasWhat If They Don’t Like Your Idea?Questions to Ponder
6. Managing Conflict
Three Stages of ConflictDisagreement: Talking About IdeasControversy: Considering IdeasControversy Is Necessary for Change……But That Doesn’t Mean We Like ItHere’s Where Your Work Pays OffSome Rebel Don’tsMaking Controversial Meetings ProductiveBe prepared, and get help from alliesShow the so-whatPaint a realistic pictureMake the meeting long enoughWhen You Are in the Arena (AKA the Meeting)Take a deep breathExplain the focus of the meetingEstablish some ground rulesAfter presenting your ideaEnding wellWhat You’ll GainConflict: Fighting About IdeasReading the Riot ActA wake-up callFormulating a rebel riot actWhen You’re Mad as HellNo personal attacksLook at their sideFind out what your anger is telling youIt’s not about being rightAcknowledge the tension and disagreementQuarantine your email and your mouthMake a listAnger will always be thereQuestions to Ponder
7. Dealing with Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
Ten Fears That Can Hold You BackLosing Your JobHurting Your Chances of Being PromotedIt’s easier with a supportive bossIt depends on the organizational cultureIt’s easier if you engage in good rebel practicesUpsetting Your Boss (or the Powers That Be)Hurting Your ReputationAlienating ColleaguesHaving to Deal with ConflictLooking StupidPresenting to Senior ManagementNow Go Make This HappenSomeone Else Taking CreditDealing with the Devils of Self-DoubtLean on Your StrengthsIdentify Your “Give-Up” LineChange Your EnvironmentCleanse Your AssumptionsQuestions to Ponder
8. A Guide to Rebel Self-Care
Don’t Let Work Consume YouWork Is Not More Important Than PeopleHeed the Warning SignsThe Three Rs of Rebel Self-CareRetreating: Give Yourself a BreakResetting: Determine the Next StepResiliency: Find the Strength You NeedFinding friends at workLeaning on our strengthsGenerating optimism, a rebel’s greatest assetKnowing When to QuitGiving Up on Your IdeaLeaving Your OrganizationFinding the Right BossShould I Stay or Should I Go Now?Questions to Ponder

9. Am I Becoming a Bad Rebel?
Avoiding Bad Rebel Behavior1. Play Within the Rules2. Keep Your Sense of Humor3. Be an Idea Carrier, Not an Idea Warrior4. Don’t Play the Hero5. Find Your True Rebel CallingQuestions to Ponder
10. Give This Chapter to Your Boss
What Motivates RebelsRebels Want Change That Really MattersThey Care More About Work Than MostWhat Signals Are You Sending to Your Team?Creating the Right Work EnvironmentBe Very Clear About SuccessMake It Safe to DisagreeRelationships, Messengers, and HeroesBeware Your BiasesCreate Organizational Habits that Enable ChangeDon’t Expect Rebels to Have All the DetailsGive Rebels the Right WorkReal Work, Not Innovation Task ForcesThe Thorniest ProblemsPositions for Understanding the OrganizationThe Art of Managing RebelsNo Lip ServiceBeyond General CoachingHelp them understand the organizational landscapeTeach rebels to be preparedShow rebels how to present ideasHelp rebels use controversy productivelyGuide rebels on the next stepsAre Rebels Worth the Effort?Questions to Ponder
Afterword
A. How Well Do You Know Your Organization?
Goals and VisionDecision MakingAssessing Timing
B. Handy Rebel Lists
20 Ways to Be a More Effective RebelTop 10 Rebel MistakesTop 10 Rebel FearsOne-Line InspirationsGuidelines for FramingOpposition Tactics: The 10 Ds to Try to Stop Your IdeaCommunicating Your IdeasWhen You’re Mad as HellWays to Avoid Bad Rebel Behavior
C. Recommended Rebel Reading
Navigating Inside OrganizationsConflict and NegotiationCollaboratingCommunicatingCreatingGrowing Personally and Professionally
Glossary
Index
About the Authors
Colophon
Copyright

Content preview from Rebels at Work

Appendix B. Handy Rebel Lists

20 Ways to Be a More Effective Rebel

Be positive.
Frame it.
Stay out of drama.
Judge ideas, not people.
When angry, stop and wonder why.
Strive for influence, not power.
Start the flame; tap into the collective brilliance of others to fuel the fire.
Share the glory.
Communicate in ways that create clarity from complexity.
Address the cost/value tradeoff.
Let ideas breathe.
Pick the right boss or executive sponsor.
Ask good questions; become a keen listener.
Learn how to facilitate messy collaboration.
Address the fears.
Show how success can be measured.
Learn how to have constructive conversations.
Be thoughtful in all you do.
Know when to walk away.
Believe you are enough.

Top 10 Rebel Mistakes

Breaking the rules because the rules aren’t for you
Being against the status quo instead of being for something
Skimping on learning the organizational landscape
Not linking ideas to what the organization really values
Avoiding conflict and controversy
Putting things in the wrong order
Wasting opportunities
Flirting with the dark side
Going it alone
Losing your sense of humor

Top 10 Rebel Fears

Losing my job
Hurting my chances for a promotion
Upsetting my boss
Damaging my reputation
Alienating my colleagues
Conflict, having to disagree with others
Looking dumb or not smart enough
Someone else taking credit for my idea
Having to present my idea to management
Being made accountable for running the entire effort

One-Line Inspirations ...

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