The New Age of Heretics

The New Age of Heretics

These opinions are my own based on observation, experience, and principles.

            We are in the new age of heretics, outliers, and disruptors where we are preparing our students and children for jobs that will be outrageously uncommon. They will be shocking us in a good way because barriers are being lifted and expanded. In ten years, even conventional and traditional careers will look nothing like they do now. They cannot. If they do, we are in trouble. The landscape is changing, and we need to fine-tune the process. We will adjust.

            As I am writing this blog post, I am listening to the latest catastrophic school shooting and thinking about my daughters. My oldest is a senior at a university and my youngest a high school junior. Their generation posts their feelings on social media because that is their norm. I saw that one daughter posted about her concern of gun control, and my other daughter talked about her safety concerns for her family.

            How do the heretics, outliers, and disruptors, a school shooting, and my children tie together?  Maybe they don’t in your world. In my universe, I want my daughters and every other student to be part of the thinking where we allow them to be creative. They must have opportunities to be creative and become great thinkers and difference makers. Our children and students need to know that we take their dreams and passions seriously. When they feel that we love them and believe in them, they will not only chase their dreams but they will become dream catchers and great Difference Makers.

             We must also be vigilant but not afraid. No one should be frightened to talk about creativity and no box thinking. No one should be terrified to attend school and go to work.  These venues should provide the opportunity for encouragement to think, create, and invent.

            Our children will be heretics because we allow them to fly in another direction. We inspire them to shape their own paths where passion is key to failures and successes.  As they follow their passion, they will find their voice. This will inspire others to find their passions and voices. 

             One reason you do not know the outliers is because you do not take the time to build relationships. Take the time! It changes the climate and culture of any school. While they are busy working on their passions, you might be busy teaching restrictively. Open up your world!

             The disruptors may be my favorite group because I am one, and so are the people I live with. We are tired of the status quo because there is none We are weary with the old form of leadership because there is none. Abandon the follower model and give everyone a chance to see themselves as not only as they are but who they can become. 

            So now that we are all thinking, let’s start the conversation. We need to lead the wave of heretics, outliers, and disruptors. Let’s flip that model that doesn’t allow everyone the same opportunities to think and express ideas. Let’s stop saying we are proactive and be proactive. If we put in the training and safety barriers then make them legitimate. A red flag isn’t a green flag.

            We are in the age of training our children to be accepting but we also need to make sure the line of communication and methods of communication are practiced and genuine.  Let people know that you love them every day. Two weeks ago, I hugged my family because our favorite football team finally won the Super Bowl. Two days ago, I hugged my family because of an unexplainable loss of young lives. Today I will hug my family just because I love them, and you should hug your family, too.

Peace.

  Frank Rudnesky offers popular and engaging presentations, keynotes, professional development, and workshops that can be tailored to your specific needs for adults, students, and all stakeholders of any organization. They include:

50 Great Things Leaders Do: Let's Get Fired Up!

Leadership Through Positive Climate and Culture

The LeaderShip: Who’s on Board

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He can be reached at FrankRudnesky@gmail.com or @DrFrankRud

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