There’s often a fine line between “crazy” and “genius.” Radical thinkers have been met with skepticism throughout history, even when their seemingly “irrational” ideas later proved to be true. Galileo was forced to apologize to the Vatican for insisting the sun was the center of the solar system. Louis Pasteur’s revolutionary idea that disease is spread by germs was aggressively rebuked by the medical community. Socrates’ visionary ideas earned him the reputation of being an immoral corrupter of youth and a death sentence (which he evaded only by poisoning himself first).
Some of the best innovations and most social good have come from these types of irrational thinkers. But what if you’re not Galileo?
We often believe progress and innovation require a larger-than-life visionary to lead the way — a mythical character to design our future. When you think of what it means to be an irrational visionary, you might be envisioning Steve Jobs, working his magic. But irrational visionaries are defined more by what they do and how they think than any specific background or skill set. So while you might think you’re just another worker bee if you aren’t one of the select few billionaire visionaries, I assure you you’re not: What if I told you that irrationality — something we all possess — is the seemingly magical X-factor that differentiates the visionaries from the worker bees?
By embracing irrationality, the most influential inventors and creators of our time have given themselves permission to rethink their assumptions and look for untapped opportunities. The gale force of creative destruction that is tearing through every industry requires irrational thought and an army of irrational visionaries to not only change their companies and industries, but the world. The good news is there are dormant irrational visionaries within every company, and I believe you are one of them.
My goal is to awaken sleeping giants (like you) to greatness. Regardless of role or status, you can be an irrational visionary that transforms not only your organization, but your life. Chances are, you don’t currently imagine yourself as a hero within your company. But this role, which you are more equipped to play than you may think, is the missing link between your company’s ability to thrive or its eventual demise (no pressure, though).
The Irrational Visionary Formula
Turns out, there’s a reliable formula for effective irrationality. This formula has become my occupational obsession and the cornerstone of our agency’s work. My goal is to bring the formula for methodical, replicable irrationality to as many people as possible. And that starts with individuals like you assuming the role of irrational visionary.
This formula breaks down into three steps:
1) See the world devoid of constants
2) Create an irrational vision
3) Make one-degree decisions to stay on course toward that irrational vision
By identifying false constants, writing an irrational vision statement, and making one-degree decisions, you’ll inch closer to an irrational endpoint: your seemingly too-far-out-there view of the future that bucks conventional wisdom and keeps you and your company ahead of the innovation curve. Then, once you move through these three steps, you’ll also need to get the team on board without being overly disruptive and pushing people out the door.
Simple enough, right? Ok, maybe not simple. But it IS achievable. Despite what many innovation consultants will tell you, large organizations can never truly behave or operate like startups. But by following this formula and embracing your role as an irrational visionary, even large organizations can make transformative progress and avoid the fate of so many of their peers.
Here’s a key pro-tip: The irrational visionary mission is largely a stealth operation. I would advise that you don’t advertise your quest. To be most effective, you must appear to behave “normally” within the customary confines of your company. But subtly, you are inciting a revolution: a quiet-yet-powerful uprising that transforms what is produced and how — and both you and your company will be better for it.
The irrational visionary’s quest is a valiant and timely call to action, a methodical, replicable way of operating that’s worth the initial bruises. It’s beneficial for your career, your company, and the world. Plus: it’s fun. Assuming the role of irrational visionary gives you permission to enjoy the process and approach your work like play. And lest you think startups get to have all the fun, this approach allows you to unleash the exhilaration of the startup mindset from within your organization, without ever changing jobs.
Don’t be discouraged if you feel initially overwhelmed by this charge. It doesn’t happen overnight and you won’t display any badge of honor. Becoming an irrational visionary is a self-actualization process. Just by going through this process, you will think differently. It’s a mindset for day-to-day operating, as well as long-term strategic planning. It’s a skill set that people are drawn to, especially when you are not heralding its “differentness.” It’s infectious and people around you will start to take notice, without fully understanding what you’re doing. People will recognize that you think differently and welcome your presence and input as a result.
When you embrace the idea of being an irrational visionary, you see things in a different way. And if you bring that thinking to problems and opportunities in your family, your neighborhood, or your city, I believe you will be surprised at what new solutions come to mind. A struggling non-profit probably doesn't need more money as much as they need an irrational vision. A school district whose schools are constantly at the bottom of the educational system probably doesn't need a more rational approach; they need to approach their problems in an irrational way.
Putting the words “irrational” and “visionary” together is not an easy or obvious combination, but humans are equipped to embody these sorts of seeming contradictions. An irrational visionary is a persona you assume, a role you play. It’s about more than merely having the guts to do the unthinkable. It’s both thought and action. Irrational visionaries dream big one minute, exploring the previously unimaginable, then quickly descend back to earth to roll out practical next steps for short-term success.
If you can't tell by now, I’m pretty passionate about empowering people to be irrational visionaries. But that's because I've seen an irrational mindset and vision change my company, my relationships, the way I parent, and more. And about 95% of this has been positive! We won’t all become Bezos billionaires, but we can all profit from irrationality.
I’m asking you to step outside the bounds of the rational professional you’ve worked so hard to become and unleash your inner irrational visionary. The uncrossable chasm between “us” and “them” is not as insurmountable as it may seem — in fact, it’s accessible to all of us, anytime, anywhere, if we embrace irrationality.