Positive Disruption

Article by Andreea Hirica

From Brand Strategies (Jean Marie Dru) to Business Strategies (Beyond Disruption) to Global Socio-Economical issues, the Disruption lens is finally given the chance to bring in a new perspective

“Disruption is about uncovering the culturally embedded biases and conventions that shape standard approaches to business thinking and get in the way of clear, creative thinking. (…) It’s aboutspearheading change rather than reacting to it. “

Jean Marie Dru

“And while we discourage disruptive behaviour in our homes and our societies, often favouring passivity and compliance, disruption can be a positive –sometimes-vital – catalyst for change. It can challenge old assumptions, ignite conversations, activate authorities and expose new possibilities. Disruption can shed a unique light on difficult issues, giving a fresh urgency and perspective to the challenges of our global community.” (TEDxChange).

From #PositiveDisruption to a New
Socio-Economical Mindset

“If we are to face one of the greatest challenges of the upcoming decade: nearly doubling the food production in order to meet the ever increasing rise of population by 2050, we need all farmers in the world to be as productive as possible; especially the small holder farmers. Think of the irony: once neglected, now indispensable; that’s positive disruption.” Roger Thurow

For a new mindset to emerge, it is no longer enough to listen and become aware of the stories of struggle, survival and hope of people (and especially young women) from the developing world. Not even to get personally involved by using our newly emerging currency: Influence. We need to learn from them “not as from people telling their stories, but as people who define the way things get done” (Halima Hima) “This is how I realised – explains Halima - how much the prosperity (and growth alone is not prosperity) of my country (Niger) was depending of these young girls (making things happen).”

It is Halima’s call to action for each of us to become these young girls’ social allies: networks of people that physically or virtually support them into empowering themselves and reaching their highest potential. She gives a personal example sharing her own self-empowerment story: “with me on this stage are people who believed in me when even I doubted myself”. Influence

From the #SharingEconomy to the #GivingEconomy: “to understand the true essence of Being you have to give of what you hold most dear”

Halima Hima

Influence as a #SocialCurrency

Julie Dixon reminds us of an emerging alternative currency: Influence. She authentically uses storytelling to transform a personal experience in a compelling and inspiring talk.

As one of the smart young women representative for the sharing economy, Julie is brave enough to share her experience of being an artist and playing in empty venues to mostly an imaginary audience, until the influence of one person positively disrupted her art: Lady Gaga, tweeting Julie Dixon’s cover of one of her songs to an entire universe of fans.

“Nowadays it matters less that one makes outstanding and beautiful art”, shares Julie as personal learning, what matters is embracing the courage to genuinely open and ask for people’s support.

Her call to action: “There are a lot of global causes today that are playing to empty rooms. Use your influence to get people’s support and fill in those rooms!”

Part of the TEDxChange social media audience argues that Influence alone is not enough (see Chris Brogan’s post, How Should Influence Work being refered to). As a brand planner, I argue that Influence is most valuable when coupled with a High Affinity Index.

Your thoughts?