In my last post I suggested ‘improv‘ was a great reference that could contribute toward a better understanding of ‘disruption’.

Staying with improv for a little longer, I found David Alger’s First 10 Rules of Improvisation. While they’re written for improv, with a little work, I think they can be very useful for disruption. So I had a little fun and attempted to adapt them to be less improv specific and more relevant to disruption. They’re no longer David’s 10 Rules of Improv, they’re now the start of Barrie’s Seven Rules of Disruption 🙂

Be good to hear any of your views on what I’ve put together. I’m not convinced I’ve got it right yet? It’s a start. That’s all.

1) Say Yes-and!

For disruption to take place there must be a commitment to and agreement on what the desired outcome is? Disruption shouldn’t be for disruption’s sake.

2) After the `and` add new information.

Disruption can’t move forward or advance unless we add new information. And not just information you think is useful. You need as much information as you can possibly find. Information that stretches beyond whatever it is you’re working on. Logically, if all the information you needed was already present, then you’d have achieved your goal by now. You haven’t, so you can’t possibly have all the information you need yet.

3) Don’t Block.

There is nothing worse in a process of disruption than someone who blocks. Someone who says ‘no’. There’s a time for ‘no’, but it’s not time until much much later in the process. Much much later!

5) Focus on the Here and Now.

Another useful rule is to keep the focus on the here and now.  The change, the struggle, the win or loss will happen as things unfold. Focus on what is going on right now, in the moment.

6) Be Specific- Provide Details!

Details are the lifeblood of moving change forward. Each detail provides clues to what is important. Details help provide insights and flesh out the change that’s needed.

7) Change, Change, Change!

Disruption is about change. The organisation must experience some type of change for any chance of success. People need to go on journeys, be altered by revelations, experience the ramifications of new choices and be moved by emotional moments.