The Year of the Insurgent

This is my ‘/word page’ - a place to document my intent for the next chapter of the life of timall.red

It’s all part of the Choose One Word ‘Ritual of Becoming’ from Dr Jason Fox and The Cleverness.

Backstory

For almost seven years now, I’ve been ‘rewording’ myself and choosing a word to act as my anchor / reference point for the year (or when the season requires it, up to 18 months). Revisiting my earlier /words, I was reminded of my first introduction to the ritual (through The Game Changer):

Choose one word. One big, contextual word for your year. No resolutions, no smart goals - just one big word that's meaningful to you... they embody your big fuzzy contextual goal for the year.

It has also been valuable reflecting on how the previous Year of the Expeditioner (and the Alchemist / Zen Archer before it) has benefitted me in my seasons of life, work and study. Over the course of The Year of the Expeditioner, celebrated completing my Doctoral Studies at the University of Southern Queensland, as well as stepping into a new role within the Downer Group, creating new opportunities for unexpected discoveries and leaning into discomfort and challenges.

Looking forward, 2023 continues my ritual of Choosing One Word as an anchor/reference point for my year as I continue to write the next chapter my career and life, building on the previous years of the Expeditioner (2022), Alchemist (2021), Zen Archer (2020), Phoenix (2019) Rogue Scholar (2017) and Warrior (2016).

The Year of the Insurgent.

The Insurgent is a person who challenges the status quo, seeking to effect change through unconventional and sometimes covert means.

An independent thinker, she is unafraid to take risks, and determined to push beyond established boundaries. The Insurgent is on a mission, seeking out new challenges and opportunities to make a difference, often in unexpected ways. They relish the unknown and take pleasure in the unexpected.

The Insurgent is a trailblazer, leading the way by embracing their inner rebel and standing up for what they believe in, often in ways that challenge and disrupt existing systems and structures.

Principles

1. Trust, but Verify.

“In God we trust, all others must bring data.”
~ W. Edwards Deming

In a world where deception and misinformation are prevalent, the Insurgent understands the importance of maintaining a cautious yet open mind. They recognise the value of trust, but they also acknowledge the need for verification.

The Insurgent believes that blind trust can lead to vulnerability and manipulation, so they approach relationships and information with a healthy dose of skepticism. They are skilled in discerning truth from fiction, conducting thorough research, and seeking multiple sources of evidence.

By practicing Trust, but Verify, the Insurgent ensures that they make informed decisions based on reliable information and authentic relationships.

2. Trojan Mouse.

"The greatest warriors are the ones who fight without drawing their sword."
~ The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Insurgent recognises the power of subtle and strategic actions that can lead to significant impact over time. Inspired by the tale of the Trojan Horse, they employ the Trojan Mouse principle to advance their goals.

The Insurgent understands that direct confrontation may not always be the most effective approach, especially when faced with formidable adversaries or seemingly impenetrable systems. Instead, they adopt a patient and calculated strategy, using small and seemingly insignificant actions to gain access, influence, and ultimately dismantle the barriers in their path.

By embracing the Trojan Mouse principle, the Insurgent is able to navigate complex environments, blend in with their surroundings, and leverage their unique strengths and resources to achieve transformative change.

3. Embrace Disruption.

"The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence itself, but to act with yesterday's logic."
~ Peter Drucker

The Insurgent is a catalyst for change, and they believe that progress often requires disrupting established norms and challenging the status quo. They understand that the comfort of familiarity can hinder growth and innovation.

Embracing disruption means actively seeking out opportunities to question existing systems, conventions, and beliefs. The Insurgent is not afraid to challenge authority, take calculated risks, and explore unconventional solutions. They thrive in times of uncertainty, using disruption as a means to dismantle outdated structures, ignite conversations, and pave the way for new possibilities.

By embracing disruption, the Insurgent creates a space for fresh perspectives, innovation, and the emergence of a more equitable and progressive future.

Patterns

The following patterns and behaviours for the Year of the Insurgent will form part of my daily rhythms over the course of this year.

Fact Checking - I will actively seek out reliable sources, verifying information before accepting it, and cultivating a discerning mindset.

The Insurgent understands the power of accurate information in navigating a complex and ever-changing world. They prioritise fact checking as a core pattern in their daily rhythms. The Insurgent commits to verifying the credibility of information before accepting it as truth. They engage in thorough research, cross-reference sources, and critically evaluate claims and evidence. Fact checking becomes a habit, ingrained in their interactions, decision-making processes, and communication. By embracing this pattern, the Insurgent ensures that they base their actions and beliefs on reliable and trustworthy information, fostering a more informed and discerning perspective.

Scenario Planning - I will set aside regular intervals to envision different potential futures, evaluate risks and opportunities, and develop adaptive strategies.

The Insurgent recognises the importance of anticipating and preparing for various future possibilities. They actively engage in scenario planning, a pattern that involves envisioning multiple potential outcomes and developing strategies to address them. The Insurgent embraces this pattern as a means of adapting to unforeseen circumstances, mitigating risks, and seizing opportunities. They consider different scenarios, ranging from the most optimistic to the most challenging, and devise flexible plans to navigate each situation. By incorporating scenario planning into their daily rhythms, the Insurgent cultivates resilience, foresight, and adaptability, ensuring they are well-equipped to respond to the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Challenging the Status Quo - I will proactively challenge the status quo by speaking up, questioning existing norms, encouraging critical discussions, and proposing innovative ideas.

The Insurgent is not content with the status quo and believes in pushing boundaries, questioning established norms, and seeking innovative solutions. They embody the pattern of challenging the status quo as a means of driving progress and positive change. The Insurgent actively seeks out opportunities to challenge prevailing assumptions, systems, and practices. They encourage critical thinking, engage in constructive discussions, and propose alternative approaches. By living out this pattern, the Insurgent inspires others to question and reevaluate the way things are done, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and transformative action.

Projects

Red Teaming

During the Year of the Insurgent, the "Red Teaming" project emerges as a vital endeavour for honing strategic thinking, identifying vulnerabilities, and fostering innovation.

Red Teaming is a practice borrowed from military and intelligence fields, which involves creating an independent team tasked with challenging the assumptions, plans, and strategies of an organisation or project. As an Insurgent, undertaking the Red Teaming project means embracing a role as a critical evaluator and disruptor, pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking and uncovering blind spots.

The Red Teaming project will encompass several key activities. First, it involves assembling a diverse team of individuals with varied expertise and perspectives to ensure comprehensive analysis. This team will examine existing plans, processes, and systems, searching for weaknesses, potential threats, or overlooked opportunities. Through comprehensive scenario planning and thorough fact-checking, the team will simulate alternative viewpoints and strategies to identify vulnerabilities and potential courses of action.

As an Insurgent, engaging in the Red Teaming project also requires fostering an environment of open-mindedness, creativity, and constructive criticism. This project encourages challenging the status quo and inviting dissenting opinions to uncover hidden risks and explore innovative solutions. It requires embracing disruption, questioning assumptions, and welcoming new perspectives.

By undertaking the Red Teaming project, the Insurgent gains valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of their organisation, strategy, or project. It allows for proactive risk mitigation, strategy refinement, and the identification of new opportunities. Red Teaming fosters a culture of continuous improvement, adaptability, and resilience, empowering the Insurgent to navigate complex and ever-changing environments with strategic precision.

How you can help

You may see me proudly wearing a distinctive pin, a symbol that represents my commitment to the principles of the Insurgent. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power that lies within me and the impact I can make on the world. If you ever come across me donning this emblem, don't hesitate to ask me how I plan to infuse the spirit of the Insurgent into my daily routines and practices. I embrace the opportunity to share my journey with you, exchanging ideas, experiences, and inspiration along the way.

I invite you to share your own Word of the Year, the guiding force that fuels your aspirations and goals. Let us embark on this transformative journey together, supporting and encouraging each other in our pursuit of personal growth and positive change. By joining forces, we can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves, inspiring those around us to embrace their own inner insurgencies. Let's connect, exchange insights, and embark on a shared adventure of self-discovery and transformation.

Together, we will illuminate new paths, challenge conventions, and forge a brighter future

Head over to the Choose One Word ‘Ritual of Becoming’ program and sign up today.