What do you think of a genuine asset that distinguishes people, products, or companies? A topic that regularly takes center stage in many different guises? It is the ability to reinvent oneself or others—on everyone's lips and almost mutated into a buzzword: disruption.
The English word "to disrupt" means "to disturb, tear apart, break through," but also "to thwart a plan." Disruptive thinking and action destroys or thwarts something. For us, however, this word is an unwise choice, but it has found widespread use and thus justification in its martial aggressiveness. But what does it mean? Disruptive processes radically turn everything we know upside down. Previous models of success collapse, and with them the companies that are overtaken by them. The question then becomes: bankruptcy or takeover? But the most accurate description for us is simply "reinventing something."
New markets trigger disruption
The Kondratiev cycles show that waves of major change repeatedly destroy the old. Cotton, electricity, the steam engine, steel, oil use, and the internet: they all left no stone unturned. And their environment also gives rise to new opportunities for use. The internet and Silicon Valley repeatedly demonstrate the speed at which revolutionary innovations shake up the markets. It's impressive. And so many famous CEOs and leader make the pilgrimage leader valley of ones and zeros, returning home with a bag full of groundbreaking ideas. Compared to this disruptive force, our concepts of "thinking outside the box, swimming against the tide, reinvention, or innovation" seem like toothless tigers.
Of course, the internet has triggered a huge transformation. But does that apply everywhere and all the time? Disruption mainly affects the losers. On the side of the disruptors, the achievements are extreme innovations, but they never come completely out of nowhere. Even an iPhone is still a mix of telephone and computer, and Uber is definitely a company that thrives on passenger transport.
The same old story repeats itself
A buzzword is appropriated by its "first movers." This is impressive, demonstrating class and forward thinking. The word is repeated ad nauseam in meetings and conferences until collective admiration turns to rejection. Everyone is annoyed. But that's a shame. Because disruptive thinking and action has a lot to offer everyone.
Use your disruptive spirit again and again: question the status quo. Continuously re-evaluate the raison d'être of products and markets, even your own. What is the core of your impact? What is your raison d'être today, and what will it be in ten years? Follow your answers consistently and always remain a pioneer.
And don't let buzzwords catch you off guard
Neither to surprise nor to dismay. Find the deeper meaning of a movement and draw your own conclusions. Disruption must be taken seriously. It is breathtaking how quickly markets, products, companies, and people have to change today. Hell for "brakers," heaven for "human developers." Don't rest on your laurels. Draw a zero line every day. Cross it without letting the past in. Then you will be alert, present, and fresh in your mind. That's how you become a winner in disruption. And what could be better than being successful in change?
That's why you're not really happy.
Why success and fulfillment have nothing to do with each other.
Image source: ©pixabay – Life-Of-Pix
