Mavericks

"Be the change you want to see in the world," Gandhi’s timeless words embody the spirit of Mavericks – a call to lead with vision, courage, and innovation.

1. Anyone Can Be a Maverick

Being a maverick isn’t exclusive to the Elon Musks and Steve Jobs of the world. According to the book, everyone has the potential to nurture this unorthodox approach to thinking and leading. Mavericks believe that independent thinking isn’t always about innate talent or upbringing; it’s a choice made repeatedly throughout life.

The authors emphasize that even in childhood, humans are naturally curious and experimental, traits that define mavericks. The challenge lies in continuing to develop these attributes instead of letting them dwindle. For example, children’s inquisitive nature illustrates how we are all born with maverick tendencies, but societal norms often suppress this spirit as we grow older.

The examples shared, such as explosives expert Sidney Alford, show that maverick behavior can start early. Alford exhibited curiosity and boldness by creating fireworks from materials found in wartime rubble as a child. This innate audacity fueled his career innovations. Ultimately, the book highlights that everyone has the capacity to reignite these traits and choose a path of originality.

Examples

• Sidney Alford’s pioneering explosive devices used in bomb disposal.
• Children’s innate curiosity and creativity before societal norms squash it.
• Choosing to question established norms in daily life to make innovative decisions.

2. Mavericks Believe in Making Things Better

Mavericks are fueled by a desire to make a difference. They don’t simply notice problems; they act on them, believing in the power of change. This quality is what sets them apart from those who accept the status quo. A sense of purpose drives their actions.

Khadim Hussain’s story exemplifies this belief. Growing up in a remote Pakistani village, Khadim defied barriers as a disabled child and later fought for girls’ education. Despite hostility from his own community and family, Khadim’s vision to improve lives through education propelled him to success.

This deep conviction transforms obstacles into steppingstones. The book urges readers to identify what genuinely matters to them – a company process, a community issue, or even a global challenge. Mavericks channel their beliefs into concrete actions, paving the way for meaningful results.

Examples

• Khadim Hussain’s relentless campaign for girls' schools in Pakistan.
• Elon Musk’s drive to challenge industries like space exploration and renewable energy.
• Steve Jobs’ belief in revolutionizing personal technology through innovation.

3. Mavericks Are Resourceful

Mavericks spot opportunities and capitalize on them in imaginative ways. Their resourcefulness allows them to navigate challenges by redefining how we think about resources, whether social networks, ideas, or raw materials.

Armene Modi’s approach demonstrates maverick ingenuity. To fight gender inequality in India, she didn’t rely solely on personal contacts but involved extended networks of acquaintances and even strangers. Her strategy of leveraging “weak ties” led to funding and support that transformed entire villages.

This ability to recognize potential in unusual places often distinguishes mavericks. Instead of sticking to conventional methods, they connect dots others might miss, paving the way for transformative achievements.

Examples

• Armene Modi leveraging distant network ties to launch her NGO in India.
• Maverick entrepreneurs spotting untapped markets and creating unique products.
• Teams maximizing underutilized company resources for unparalleled results.

4. Mavericks Are Nonconformists

Nonconformity is a hallmark of mavericks. They challenge norms, even when it risks backlash or criticism. They rebel not to disrupt for the sake of it but to pursue better alternatives and solutions.

Katharine Birbalsingh embodies constructive nonconformity through her work as a head teacher in London. By reintroducing traditional subjects like Latin and implementing strict discipline rules, she achieved outstanding results. While her approach polarized opinions, it ultimately demonstrated the merit of questioning widely accepted methods.

Birbalsingh’s story shows that nonconformity requires bravery and resilience. True mavericks are guided by their purpose over popularity. They align their rebellious spirit with productive goals to advance innovations that benefit society.

Examples

• Katharine Birbalsingh’s established practices in education at Michaela Community School.
• Companies that disrupt industries by questioning long-standing conventions.
• Artists or thought leaders challenging stereotypes to create cultural shifts.

5. Mavericks Embrace Experimentation

Mavericks don’t fear failure; they welcome it as part of learning. Experimentation fuels their creativity and allows them to refine their ideas. The key is structured trial and error that leads to actionable insights.

Oscar Lopez’s recruitment experiment is a testament to this mindset. By turning hiring into a playful audition process, he found employees passionate about the company’s success. Lopez asked the right questions, developed hypotheses, and tested effective methods to grow his business.

Experimentation doesn’t just benefit companies – it’s an essential approach to personal growth as well. Mavericks encourage trying small changes, analyzing results, and building resilience to setbacks.

Examples

• Oscar Lopez’s creative interview process at his insurance agency.
• Testing new digital tools within teams for increased efficiency.
• Continuous personal challenges like learning new skills through iterative practice.

6. Mavericks Persevere

Setbacks are almost inevitable for mavericks. But resilience keeps them going. What sets them apart is their unyielding belief in their higher goals, even when faced with hostility or failure.

For example, Khadim Hussain refused to abandon his mission for education equality despite fierce resistance from his family and community. His strong sense of purpose kept him resolute in promoting opportunities for girls in his village.

Resilience thrives on aligning actions to life philosophies. When mavericks perceive their work as intrinsically valuable, they persist beyond challenges, embodying the grit required to achieve impactful outcomes.

Examples

• Khadim Hussain’s unwavering dedication to education in Pakistan.
• Entrepreneurs rebuilding businesses after initial failures.
• Scientists persisting in research despite multiple unsuccessful experiments.

7. Mavericks Find Fulfillment Through Leadership

Work becomes deeply personal for mavericks as they align with their higher goals. Leading with purpose doesn’t just achieve results but delivers immense personal satisfaction and growth.

Mavericks like the futurist Keith Coats focus on curiosity and lifelong learning to foster leadership as a journey of discovery. Their emphasis on meaningful relationships enriches both team dynamics and individual careers.

The alignment between professional life and personal values makes mavericks passionate leaders. Their work provides a sense of fulfillment that extends beyond material rewards.

Examples

• Keith Coats documenting “curiosity conversations” in his journal.
• Organizations helping leaders align roles with personal philosophies.
• Employees finding greater motivation by pursuing projects personally meaningful to them.

8. Daily Practices Can Unlock Maverick Potential

Mavericks embrace small, consistent practices that lead to lasting habits of leadership. They view each day as a chance to learn, experiment, and grow.

Simple actions like nightly reflecting on new ideas or trying daily experiments keep mavericks dynamic and adaptive. Over time, these rituals build the mindset needed to transform challenges into opportunities.

These daily efforts compound over time, cultivating skills and attitudes critical to maverick success. Creating structured routines for experimenting and learning becomes a valuable tool for anyone aspiring to think differently.

Examples

• Writing daily reflections on lessons or challenges faced.
• Practicing openness by inviting feedback from team members.
• Setting small weekly goals to build momentum toward larger projects.

9. Organizations Can Learn from Mavericks

It’s not just individuals; organizations can also embody the maverick spirit. When companies abandon rigid hierarchies and outdated practices, they thrive as innovative and adaptive entities.

Dutch bank ING overhauled its structure to promote collaboration and transparency by organizing staff into multidisciplinary “tribes” and “squads.” Inspired by tech companies like Spotify, they achieved a workplace culture that fosters flexibility and creativity.

Transforming organizations into nimble, purpose-driven collectives ensures they remain future-ready. Maverick leaders are the catalysts for bringing this energy to all levels of an organization.

Examples

• ING’s tribe-squad model restructuring their traditional hierarchy.
• Adhocratic organizations emphasizing adaptability over formal processes.
• Teams focusing on addressing customer needs rather than internal titles.

Takeaways

1. Start experimenting in small daily actions or decisions – trial and reflection foster growth and flexibility.
2. Align your work with higher goals and values to gain resilience and meaning.
3. Foster a curious mindset by connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and documenting learning from unique conversations.