Mastering The Art of Insubordination: A Conversation with Todd Kashdan
In the latest episode of the We are Human Leaders podcast, we learn how to dissent and defy effectively with Dr. Todd B. Kashdan, Professor of Psychology at George Mason University and author of The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively.
During this thought-provoking and inspiring conversation, Todd shares the language and the tools to not only understand how to challenge norms in our workplaces and societies, but support and amplify the voices of others doing the same.
He also shares his personal and professional journey to writing a leadership book on insubordination and the importance of creating space for dissent and discourse. Here’s what we learnt about cultivating skills that challenge the status quo.
Understand and Value Dissent
Dissent is fundamental to societal progress and personal growth. As Todd underscores,
"Dissent is the driving force behind societal progress and personal growth."
It’s also essential in challenging norms to eliminate bad ideas and foster innovation in the workplace. However, standing up against the majority requires courage. The willingness to speak up against the majority is a form of courage that we need more of. This kind of courage is not the absence of fear but the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
To be an effective dissenter, being conscious of your strategy and impact is critical — consider your timing, audience, and approach. Strategic dissent involves knowing the right timing, audience, and approach to ensure your message is heard. Without strategy, efforts can go unnoticed or be easily dismissed. Building credibility is another foundational element. Building credibility is about showing that you're reliable, knowledgeable, and have integrity. And by demonstrating expertise and reliability makes others more likely to support your cause.
“Think about your personality as a 16 sided piece of dice. Which side do you want to show up? Which side energizes you and brings out the qualities you want to expose? And, what's going to help you get the best possible outcome in the situation?”
Build Alliances and Navigate Resistance
Creating alliances amplifies your voice.
"Finding like-minded individuals and creating coalitions can amplify your voice and sustain your efforts."
Coalitions provide the necessary backing to push for change, making it easier to face challenges collectively rather than individually.
Creating a safe space to understand opposing viewpoints is crucial, and as Todd explained there are three key psychological strengths required to do this, which include intellectual humility, curiosity and getting perspective — all needed to cultivate empathy and understanding to find common ground. Empathy is about understanding where others are coming from, which helps in crafting persuasive arguments and finding common ground. This approach not only strengthens your position but also fosters a more inclusive environment for dialogue.
Resistance is inevitable when challenging the norm. Todds advice was to anticipate and manage resistance effectively to maintain momentum and stay focused on your goals. Handling resistance with cognitive flexibility ensures that dissenters remain focused and motivated despite obstacles.
Maintain Ethical Integrity and Learn from Failure
Ethical considerations ensure that dissent is genuine and rooted in a desire for improvement rather than personal gain. Todd emphasied the need to ensure your dissent is rooted in ethical considerations is crucial for maintaining integrity and support. This integrity is essential for sustaining long-term support and trust.
It’s also important to realise that failures are part of the dissent process, "Embrace failures as learning opportunities.” They refine your strategies and make you stronger. Learning from setbacks is crucial for improving future efforts and achieving long-term goals.
Striking a balance between conformity and dissent is also vital. Knowing when to conform and when to push back maximises your effectiveness.
This balance helps minimise unnecessary conflict while enhancing impact. Ultimately, dissent should aim for constructive change — effective insubordination is about creating solutions, not just opposing the status quo, as Todd says the Art of Insubordination is about “…Champion ideas that run counter to traditional thinking.”
Focusing on lasting, positive outcomes ensures that efforts lead to meaningful improvements.
About Dr Todd Kashdan
Dr. Todd B. Kashdan is Professor of Psychology at George Mason University. He is a leading authority on well-being, curiosity, psychological flexibility, and resilience. He has published over 225 peer-reviewed articles and is in the top 1% of cited scientists in the world. He received the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology.
