147. Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be

Innovation and disruption aren’t just for organizations. According to Whitney Johnson, we can find new possibilities for personal and professional growth — by disrupting ourselves.

As an executive coach, author, and podcaster, Johnson teaches people how to level up their lives and careers through the power of personal disruption. Her book, Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work, reveals how shaking things up enables us to break free of the constraints we might not even know we’re imposing on ourselves. “Personal disruption [is] a process of deliberate self-innovation; a decision to step back from who you are to slingshot into who you can be,” she explains.

In this Think Fast, Talk Smart episode with host Matt Abrahams, Johnson offers strategies for tailoring messages to different audiences, reveals the key ingredients for successful communication, and explains how disrupting yourself can open new doors and help you reach your full potential.

Episode Reference Links:

• Whitney Johnson: Website 
• Whitney’s Books: Website 
• Whitney’s Podcast: Disrupt Yourself Podcast 
• Lindsay McMahon’s Podcast: All Ears English Podcast 
• Clayton Christensen’s Book: The Innovator's Dilemma
• Ep.118 Maximizing Your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want
• Ep.138 Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication

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• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
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• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Matt Abrahams introduces Whitney Johnson, keynote speaker and executive coach.

(00:01:25) The Concept of Disruption

The definition of disruption, and the benefits of personal disruption and self-innovation.

(00:02:48) Identifying and Leveraging Distinctive Strengths

How to identify distinctive strengths through observing frustrations, listening to compliments, and valuing inherent skills.

(00:06:11) The S Curve of Learning

The S curve model, its stages, and how it relates to personal and organizational growth.

(00:11:56) Tenacity and Tolerance in Personal Disruption

The importance of tenacity, and the ability to tolerate ambiguity and failure during the disruptive process.

(00:13:35) Encouraging Disruptive Ideas in Organizations

Strategies for leaders to foster a culture that encourages disruptive ideas and constructive dialogue within teams.

(00:17:00) The Final Three Questions

Whitney shares how she tailors her communication for varying audiences, a communicator she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.

(00:22:30) Conclusion