Breakfast and broken systems: Why workplaces need more Rebel Leaders

Hello co-conspirator,

Let me ask you something I often ask leaders in my sessions:

‘What are you a rebel for the sake of?’

In other words - what societal or systemic norms are you *officially* done with?

What BS are you committed to subverting, just by being authentically you? 

(Whether this question excites your or baffles you - stick with me. There's a template to help you answer it at the bottom of this newsletter.)

I use this powerful question ton help leaders to introduce themselves afresh - and invite them into radical responsibility and culture-building.

So in my very first LI newsletter, let me get the party started and share two things with you that I'm a rebel for the sake of...

Answer 1: I am a rebel for the sake of Breakfast.

THE BREAKFAST STATUS QUO

Try to change my mind: breakfast is the single most culturally conditioned meal of the day.

Eat what you want for lunch or dinner…but start talking about eating soup or stew for breakfast in the Western world, and I guarantee you, someone has something to say about it. 

I’m willing to bet - you’ll see a 🤢 face.

And yet - all over the world folks eat all kinds of things for breakfast. 

There’s a colonial legacy to finding non-Western foods ‘strange’ or ‘disgusting’ which I want no part of. 

I know it’s not brokering world peace or averting climate change. But I just want to live in a world where no-one is shamed for their breakfast choices, okay?

THE BREAKFAST REVOLUTION

When my dear friend Lidija and I went traveling together back in 2009, we declared The Breakfast Revolution.

We drafted a manifesto in three parts: 

1. Eat Breakfast (it’s the most important meal of the day, and all that).
2. Eat What You Want For Breakfast.
3. Don’t Let Anyone Tell You Otherwise.

And I’ve lived this rebellion out loud ever since. 

#sorrynotsorry cereal fans.

Read to the end to find out what my favourite breakfast of all time is. I’ve learned to make a mean version myself. 

PS: Any other Breakfast Revolutionaries in the house? If so, I’d love to hear from you. Rebels gotta stick together!

Answer 2: I am a rebel for the sake of Human Wholeness.

THE STATUS QUO: OPPRESSION & CONFORMITY

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but…

…We live in a world of received narratives and harmful systems that limit our power as human beings.

...To ‘fit in’ with the world as it is, we need to perform, to conform, to leave parts of us out.

....And when we resist or refuse to conform, we are punished. Socially, emotionally, sometimes even with physical violence.  

This is true for us all, but even more acutely so for those of us whose identities have been historically marginalised, colonised and otherwise denied access to power. 

And I don't need to tell you - in the workplace, this is limiting people's contribution and potential big-time.

I work with so many leaders who declare their commitment to building working cultures that are BETTER than the wider world.

They want their culture to be more inclusive. More nourishing. More humane. 

But they often lack the models, skills, and confidence to actively rebel against the current systems and dynamics, and to cultivate something better. 

The result is that, sometimes with the best intentions in the world, they end up reinforcing dominant culture - and with it, their own and their team’s flourishing.

Here's a mini check-list of the ways dominant narratives are undermining your success, and your people's:

We crave Authenticity, but…

We struggle with expectations of who we ‘should be’, rather than playing to our natural strengths

We waste energy hiding our identities or minimising our struggles

We battle the Inner Critic and find ourselves self-berating and avoiding growth opportunities

We crave Balance, but…

We feel pressured to say ‘yes’ to countless things without counting the cost

We override our needs and instincts, leading to perpetual stress

We burn out and need a full-body time out to recover

We crave Courage, but…

We avoid difficult conversations, feedback, or reports of harm

We struggle to have constructive conversations around power, privilege, and justice without discomfort shutting down the show

We resist taking true accountability, because making mistakes feels dangerous

So, what's the answer? How do we respond?

THE REBELLION: HUMAN WHOLENESS

As I say in my Rebel Leadership Training: If we're going to flourish as whole humans in a world that limits and undermines our flourishing…

…we’re going to have to be Rebels about it. 

My response is my Rebel Leadership Framework, building on the teachings of anti-oppressive, liberatory practices and Integral Development Coaching:

For a moment, imagine an organisation where every leader embodies the following qualities:

Rebel Authenticity

• Harnessing the fullness of their strengths - both light and shadow - and those of others around them
• Disarming Harmful Internalised Standards & Stories (HISSes) trumpeted by their Inner Critics
• Building ongoing consciousness around their identity and privilege, so they can find their part to play dismantling oppression

Rebel Balance

• Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, and making powerful requests that get fulfilled
• Practising self-care and community-care
• Ensuring wellbeing and capacity is a key factor in all communication and decision-making

Rebel Courage

• Wielding power in healthy, accountable ways in the face of racism, sexism, and other -isms
• Effectively anticipating, preventing and addressing harm, without succumbing to defensiveness or blame
• Leading challenging conversations with empathy, clarity and confidence

Tell me, how would it feel to belong to this organisation?

What might become possible?

Well, THIS is what I'm a rebel for the sake of.

Helping leaders embrace human wholeness - because that's the key to true flourishing and high-performance.

Your Turn!

But the fact is - all rebellions starts with a first step.

They start with a declaration of intent, large or small, and then - practice practice practice.

So, what'll yours be, fellow rebel?

I invite you to use this simple template to declare your own workplace rebellion:

‘As a leader, what are YOU a rebel for the sake of?’

‘In a world where … 

[describe the harm, injustice or ridiculousness]’

‘I am a rebel for the sake of … 

'[name your commitment]’

‘I practise this rebellion by… 

[name the actions you take to role model your rebellion]’

Post your rebel declaration in the comments below or feel free to DM it to me.

Remember - through publicly challenging norms that compromise human wholeness, we create healing and liberation for ourselves and others.

Now, THAT’S the world I want to live in.

Oh, and my favourite breakfast?

Just try and convince me otherwise. 

Time for a re-intro: I’m Debbie Danon

I’m Debbie, founder of Rebel Leadership with Debbie Danon. A radical leadership development practice supporting leaders to create cultures of true inclusion, flourishing and high-performance. 

Learn more about me here: www.debbiedanon.com

Interested to learn more about my Rebel Leadership Coaching or Training?

DM me on LinkedIn or email me at debbie@debbiedanon.com.

I'd love to explore how we get you and your people on the path to Rebel Flourishing!

Warmly always, fellow rebel,

Debbie