Every single leader, movement, and organization that has ever wanted to create greatness has had to challenge the status quo but some leaders are afraid of the challenge because it would mean they would need to entice improvements, to assemble advancements and to dig deeper into development.
So how does a leader challenge the status quo? They have to have an open heart, open will and open mind.
To have an open heart, you need to inspire and encourage others to take a chance.
To have an open will, you must be willing to risk and take bold steps.
To have an open mind, you need to constantly be learning and growing.
Every challenge involves confronting the status quo. This precept means we have to test the unproven, dive deep in the unspoken, and challenge the unchallenged.
To move from mediocrity to greatness, we must venture out.
To build something substantial, we must take a strong stand.
To create something meaningful, we must create significance.
Nothing great is ever achieved by doing things the way they have always been done.
To challenge the status quo we must take one fearless choice at a time, one brave decision at a time, one courageous action at a time.
These choices, decisions, and actions transform challenges into exploration, risk into reward, and fear into determination.
Start by asking yourself:
- What needs to be challenged?
- What needs to be improved?
- What is the greatest risk?
- What can I expect?
- What can I learn?
When we challenge the status quo, we test our skills and we challenge ourselves.
We are not here to stay content. We are here to do better. The gift of life is to make a difference, and the call of leadership is to say this is not good enough.
We have the choice to make things better.
We have an obligation to challenge the status quo.
When we meet that obligation, we are inspiring others to do better and think bigger.
After challenging the status quo ask yourself:
- What have I learned?
- What did I not expect?
- What went right?
- What went wrong?
- What would I do differently?
- What could I have done better?
Don’t challenge for challenge’s sake; learn from the experience.
When we challenge the status quo, we believe that our abilities will be able to make a difference.
What action will you take to challenge the status quo?
Lead from within: Challenging the status quo is inspiring ordinary people to become extraordinary leaders.
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
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25 Responses
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to “How A Leader Must Challenge the Status Quo”
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October 24, 2012
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Bruce Van Horn @BruceVH
21. Aug, 2012
Lolly, this is a great post and a great challenge for us to move into something new. So often we just keep doing what we’ve been doing because it’s comfortable. Sometimes we are just worn out from the stresses of life and don’t have the energy to try something new.
I heard recently that, in order to try something new, we must have a greater fear of regret than a fear of failure.
You’ve challenged us to break out of our stagnation and into vibrant streams of creativity. Thank you!!
Adriaan Adams
22. Aug, 2012
Great article, truly inspiring…
Thank you…
Azariah Williams
05. Jan, 2018
This story was great i love reading and i like it.
Allen Slade
23. Aug, 2012
Lolly, great post. Managers maintain the status quo, while leaders challenge it. Managers color within the lines, while leaders wonder about trading the crayons in for Play-Doh. All organizations need managers and leaders. In a stable situation, management is often the critical success factor. But most organizations and most people live in flux. Your observation that “Leaders challenge the status quo to entice improvements” is the new critical success factor.
Gary Thompson
06. Sep, 2012
As a pastor I wish every church leader could read tnis. Great “start”questions.
Pure Leverage Blog
19. Apr, 2013
I really like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
Rajesh
29. Jan, 2014
Very honestly Lolly great job, i like leadership quote & your creative collection definitely help to boost the challenge status quo for make difference. that’s good thing keep posting & developing leaders for better future
Lolly if possible please reply on my mail
srajshinde2003@yahoo.co.in
thank you
Lori Polachek
01. Mar, 2014
Great post- thanks for sharing.
I am learning that there is a balance to the dance of challenging the status quo- especially for someone who does not have positional authority- challenging the powers that be.
It takes patience, persistence and openness to exploring and addressing resistance. Without the right sensitivity and skill and engaging support from the power structure, the best of intentions risk being thwarted by a power base that may be vested in maintaining even a sub-optimal status quo.
Thanks for raising this important component of leadership.
Best
Lori
Tamatha Gilbert
09. Aug, 2014
Outstanding Post! Timely, informative, and right on point! To make a difference, be the difference! Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Tamatha
Caroline Silasil
20. Aug, 2014
Very inspiring !!!
Sergey Yatsenko
26. Oct, 2014
Hi, Lolly. Leadership: Challenging The Status Quo – This is good suggestion to the real Thought Leader. Critical Thinking give new Mindset, becoming a Thought Leader. Thought Leader can realize new Business Decisions . Now, I see the Transformation of Thought Leader : On – line Consulting for CEO & SME’s , about New Business Opportunity for SME’s with Social Media / Next Level /. Best Regards, Sergey .
robin
08. Nov, 2014
leave behind our comfort blanket of familiarity
Lesley
10. Jan, 2016
Challenging the status quo is never easy but you have provided some really helpful ideas to help us learn how to do this more effectively. Cheers!
Kalaluka Nasilele
29. Sep, 2017
This has actually imspired me and am pretty sure it has changed my mindset! @KNasilele
Irma
05. May, 2018
Great post!
POPOOLA AKOLAWOLE
30. Oct, 2018
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
It is difficult to emerge status symbols while adhering to the status quo.
~Mr Impact
Mian Sharif
04. Dec, 2018
Lolly your article is really inspiring and motivational in every kind of work and in each action in our daily life. it has inspired me, it is an outstanding post. Allen’s comments justifies your thought full skills. I Love to read such great writings.
Satyajit Nath
12. Jan, 2019
Lolly, excellent post.
Reality is to do good business is to challenge The Status Quo. game changer thought process comes when Vibrant team works together to bring changes by challenging The Status Quo.