They have a clear vision. They are highly creative. They are quick to
spot trends that can be integrated into their business practices. They feel
a higher calling or mission. They are very charismatic and create a strong
presence when they walk into a room.
Successful rebels have passion. They are able to unite a diverse team
made up of people from different backgrounds, rallying together to build a
unique business and company culture.
Their passion comes out naturally because they are great storytellers and
communicators. They listen to people carefully.
Successful rebels possess high integrity and trustworthiness. They are
the epitome of grace under pressure, they stand up for their beliefs despite
popular thinking.
Successful rebels are lifelong learners. They are also good teachers.
They are resourceful enough to find solutions and fix situations. They
know how to negotiate deals and have all parties to the deal come away
satisfied.
Successful rebels are agile enough to spring into action when necessary,
and seem to be Open 24 hours . They have boundless energy, and like a
Quarterback, moves the ball across the field and gets the job done.
Successful rebels are amazing networkers, multi-taskers, and are very
driven individuals who do not easily get distracted from their goals.
Successful rebels follow their companies core values, and walk their talk
.
Successful rebels know how to keep their employees happy. They give them
intangible benefits like high self-esteem, rewards for achievements, and a
positive working environment.
Successful rebels inspire their employees to think like business owners.
Open-book management, popularized by Jack Stack, is a way of sharing
financial information in a fun, educational format to make employees
understand how their work earns for the business. You can be sure that when
you explain clearly how tardiness affects the bottom line, affecting
everyone s mid-year bonus, employees will start showing up earlier for work.
A few ideas on how to make employees think like entrepreneurs:
- Post the critical numbers on a scoreboard in a fun, visual format.
- Conduct basic financial training and develop strategies for making
an impact.
- Review the success of those strategies and best practices .
- Play a game with a critical number and make it the goal-of-the-month
or something.
- Set up a reward bonus system and give recognition as often as
possible.
- Communicate the results throughout your organization.
- Ask new employees to comment on the company s business practices
after their first 30 days.
- Have a brainstorming party or game with prizes for the best ideas.
- Have managers visit competitors and gather after a week to compare
notes.
- Have regular meetings with frontline staff to wring out all the
information they learn.
- Give your managers a free subscription to the industry magazine.
- Study a role model company or a competitor, you could all go on a
retreat or buy managers a copy of the role model company s literature.
- Write a book with funny stories about how your company serves its
customers.
Rebels encourage creativity and individuality within their own companies.
They allow themselves and their employees enough free time for a life
outside of work, for leisure and recreation.
This article is based on the following book:
The Rebel Rules: Daring to be your self in Business
Chip Conley
A Fireside Book, Simon & Schuster New York 2001
ISBN 0-684-86516-5
287 pages
