Best advice: be that rebel

James-DeanLinkedIn is running another INfluencer series called “Best Advice I ever received” so here at SuccessfulWorkplace we’re doing the same.

I wrote a piece about how being a rebel meant more in business than being a subject matter expert. Despite comments to the contrary I stand by it, I do after all have a career built entirely by that ethos. But I didn’t receive this as a piece of advice until last year when I happened on a blog post by the inimitable Seth Godin.

After reading it I took the opportunity to reach out, firstly to say thanks for being a source of inspiration but also for a bit of affirmation. You see over the years you can build yourself a ‘bad boy’ reputation which can only serve you so far before it becomes a millstone around your neck. You want to be taken seriously as a professional but for some it means sacrificing the core values and beliefs that make you, you.

So I asked Seth for some simple advice; do I stay the rebel, rock the boat, rattle the cage, or do I just toe the line and march with the rest of the ducks in a row. His answer was equally as simple in return, and it forms the banner of ITredux today.

Keep making a ruckus!

Thanks Seth.

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Author:Theo Priestley

Theo Priestley is a business consultant, industry analyst, startup advisor and writer. Theo has written analysis and insight on the enterprise software and tech industry since 2007 and provides marketing advice, business development and mentoring to startups and industry established vendors. He regularly contributes to a number of high profile technology, enterprise and customer-centric sites such as TechTarget, Wired Insights, Successful Workplace, ebizQ, BPM.com, The TIBCO Blog, Business2Community, CustomerThink!, Venturebeat and writes for his own blog, ITredux. He is also a successful business transformation consultant of 15 years, applying his industry insight to solve real-world enterprise issues and was named in the Top 50 Influencers list of 2012 for the Case Management (BPM) industry.

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One Comment on “Best advice: be that rebel”

  1. February 27, 2013 at 6:38 am #

    I love that Theo. The World could use a lot more of a ruckus!

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