I want to make a positive difference in the public sector – if only they would let me.

What has been your most notable rebel accomplishment or experience?

Sneaking a load of stuff in to an otherwise pointless ‘culture change programme’ that actually made it worthwhile.

When did you first realize that you are a rebel?

As a manger in the public sector, when I made various efforts to improve things for our customers, only to be blocked at every step by my bosses.

What advice do you wish someone had given you earlier in your career?

Be gentle.  Don’t start criticizing – it’s the quickest way for your efforts to fail as people will just defend the status quo and think you’re just an annoyance that needs to be ‘managed’.

What is your favorite rebel characteristic?

The willingness to experiment and embracing failure – as that means learning.

What’s your favorite question?

How will that improve things for our customers?

What one clue tells you you’re effecting positive change?

More people in the organisation are getting curious.

What do you think it’s most important for people to understand about rebels?

They’re not trouble makers – they are the people who really want to do some good in the world.

What’s your one word piece of advice for rebels?

Try

What’s your one word piece of advice for non-rebels?

Listen

Where do you think rebels are most needed today?

The public sector.  There are so many bureaucratic rules and procedures that innovation is crushed because people fear standing out from the crowd.

Who is your favorite rebel from the past 100 years?

Cool Hand Luke

What’s the one thing you should never say to a rebel?

But the policy says…