In my email last month, I talked about the importance of owning my privilege. Without doing so, I find that I am more likely to believe that I deserve all the great things in my life. And when that happens, I have a tendency to be less grateful and I am more likely to blame those without these same privileges for what they do not have.

But owning my privilege is just the first step. I also have to own that the country, religion, family and community that I love is failing many, and I have to work both to repair the cracks that people fall through and to help those who are not supported. 

In short, I am advocating for positive deviance. Nothing about a broken world, life, family or country will change without someone stepping up not just to stir things up, but to be a rebel—one who is willing to ask what rules need to be broken and then to take action.

In general, I tend to be a rule follower. I believe that systems are created to protect people from those who are selfish and mean. But we now live in chaotic times where many of the systems created to protect us either have failed or have been adapted to instead protect those who are already privileged. 

I recently read Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino’s book, Rebel Talent: Why It Pays to Break the Rules in Work and Life. It makes an amazing argument for positive deviants and their ability to stop making decisions based on the stated rules and policies, professional barriers and established norms.

A rebel does not stir things up just to create chaos, but steps up when people are harmed or limited by rules to ask if it is time to change the way things are done. Professor Gino describes four different types of rebels and even provides a self test to allow you to determine what skills will help you to follow your particular rebel talents. You can take it here. 

This book greatly inspired me, because I often see those who work in the helping fields trapped by rules and policies they do not understand. I am not encouraging anyone to do something unsafe or to make their workplace difficult, but I see many instances of people in need not getting life-changing support due to policies that no one can explain. 

Serving the homeless is not and will not be easy. But being a rebel may help. If you see a policy that hurts instead of helps, speak up and ask why. If a client who had few supports failed in the past, can you help by giving them more? It could mean something as simple as driving to meet them versus making them come to you, or something as big as creating a new program that addresses the needs a client says they have, but which you have been unable to meet.

Being a rebel means being innovative and potentially reinventing yourself or what you do. Are you ready to step up to the challenge? According to Professor Gino, all you have to gain is “a more vital, engaging and fulfilling life and career.”

And you could become a rebel with a cause.

Natalie

About Us

The Coalition for the Homeless's mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Louisville. We advocate for change, educate the public about the face of homelessness, and coordinate the work of our 30+ member agencies across the city. 

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