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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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
Who Are These Good Rebels?In a World Without RebelsOrganizational Silence: We Don’t Really Want Your IdeasSomebody Do SomethingQuestions to Ponder
Good Rebel from Birth?Rebels Along the WayThree Common Rebel TendenciesBeing a Future ThinkerWorking AheadBeing DifferentAccidental RebelsPatient-Advocate RebelsCorporate Social Responsibility RebelsQuestions to Ponder
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
Goals and VisionDecision MakingAssessing Timing
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
Navigating Inside OrganizationsConflict and NegotiationCollaboratingCommunicatingCreatingGrowing Personally and Professionally

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About the Authors

Lois Kelly, an author and marketing strategist, counsels executives in large corporations like FedEx, SAP, HP, Fidelity Investments, Dunkin' Donuts, TJ Maxx, SAS Institute, University of Massachusetts, The Conference Board, USAA, Sapient, Communispace, and many more. They hire Lois presumably for help on communicating change and mobilizing word of mouth marketing. The unstated, real reason they hire her is that they are rebels at work, looking for a rebel emeritus who can guide them in successfully shepherding their change agendas inside large, complex organizations – and outside to customers. Being a rebel can be dangerous, and they recognize the value of having an experienced guide.

Carmen worked at the Central Intelligence Agency for 32 years, rising to become one of the highest-ranking women at the Agency. During her career at CIA she achieved positions of apparent importance, such as the Deputy Director for Intelligence and the Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence (CSI.) But she thinks her greatest achievement is that most people who worked for her are still her friends. She had many ideas about how the CIA could do its job better—not all were welcomed. Being true to yourself, being a rebel at work, Carmen learned, means you will often feel uncomfortable and not welcomed at work. Since her retirement from the CIA in 2010, Carmen has led two new careers. One with Deloitte Consulting and the other as a curator, connector, and synthesizer on social ...