DEFAULT IS A DECISION: What are you doing?
Double Trouble in this newsletter:
1. Default is a decision: The Outlier Operating System Episode 02
2. ALLODOXAPHOBIA and Shameless Creativity: An invitation to a new Substack newsletter
DEFAULT IS A DECISION
You're sitting in yet another meeting - one with no clear purpose or need.
A time waster, yet you must show your face, or else!!! Not just you, your team comes along with you and sits through. This hour-long meeting aims to postmortem on why productivity is low.
Would you dare raise your voice and ask a question?
"How many such meetings do we have in a week - where the whole team is also sitting?"
One person talks; the rest remain silent, nod heads when they ought to - and go back to business as usual.
This is The Agency illusion: Feeling like we've "participated" in decisions by merely attending — without real contribution.)
Default is a decision.
We pretend it is natural. But choosing not to act, speak, or challenge - that is still a choice! A signal. The need to remain as-is, where-is, without rocking the boat, is a decision. Our brain loves this default. It feels safe. Familiar. Low risk!
INACTION IS A SIGNAL.
It invites more of the same: silence, sludge, and second-hand (in)decisions! That's the Status Quo Bias in action. Our brains are wired to prefer what already exists, even if it's inefficient, even if it's absurd. Familiarity feels safe, and rocking the boat feels risky, even when the boat is clearly sinking.
Moving away from the boardroom, look at the movies that hit us left and center. Same fare all through. Older wine in newer bottles.
Until a few decide to speak out and do something about it.
Once in a while, there comes along a small-budget film that hits the hearts and word of mouth, and then the money jingles in.
People are hungry for someone to break the default.
Who will bell that cat? Maybe you will. Maybe this is the meeting you break your silence? The first time will feel risky. That's the cost of moving from passive to present.
Take the case of the actor Vijay Sethupathi.
A struggler who started as a side actor and chipped away, until that one spark which started a fire. He then decided to position himself as an actor, not a star or a hero. As an actor, for the most part, he pursued different roles, including that of a father, a villain, and a supporting actor.
He continues to surprise the audience with the choice of his scripts and the power of his performance.
He chooses not to be the default. And to rock whichever vehicle he is on.
You may or may not like the movie, but you cannot forget his performance. Nor can you stop talking about it with others!
Breaking the default isn't heroic. It's a habit.
It begins with one conscious move against what's expected, and then another move. Until the brain stops seeking approval and starts seeking impact.
What can you and I do?
Passive silence, for the sake of it, in meetings and discussions - why? Be the one who asks the tough question. We can frame it nicely and put it up firmly.
We can show and tell - as that defines AGENCY. We can take ownership and demonstrate outlier leadership, even on simple tasks.
The choice to VOICE And to take action, Lies with us, within us. For us!
DEFAULT KILLS AGENCY!
Every time you speak up, volunteer, or propose - you retrain the brain to choose courage over comfort. That's not just a decision. That's design. The ethos of the Outlier Operating System.
As default is a decision we cannot remain with.
True outliers have that itch! So, we scratch.
Some more ways to break out of the default:
The Outlier Operating System Tactical upgrades for those who refuse safe decisions and boring execution. One behaviour-shift action per episode. Missed Episode 01? Check out
Interrupt the Pattern.
Be an Outlier.
Be Shameless.
TWO: ALLODOXAPHOBIA
A new word I learnt from Jeremy Nicholas ' newsletter.
What’s the connection of Allodoxaphobia with Shameless Creativity?
Read it on Substack, my new newsletter.
#outlier #marketing #creativity #decisionmaking #trust #networking #shameless
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