Are you ‘positively maverick’? Being positively maverick is great for individual and group wellbeing…

A couple of years ago I started using this term for myself to neatly describe my favourite corporate clients; the sort of leaders who made the decision to take a chance on bringing a wellbeing expert in to work with their teams, remotely, during covid. Thanks to them, lots of people’s wellbeing benefitted but that is not the point of this article...

Whilst it turns out I did not coin the phrase ‘positive maverick’, as I perhaps thought for a while, the term has become extremely helpful. Aside from enabling me to quickly identify those people I know I will love working with, digging deeper and looking at them from a Positive Psychology perspective, here are two big reasons why ‘positive mavericks’ are particularly interesting and inspirational:

1)     They are drivers of positive change in the workplace and society in general. Being pro-social by nature, they don’t walk over others to create this change. In fact, they tend to use their ‘challenger’ natures or their values around ‘fairness’ or ‘justice’ for the good of others. As a result, there is a lot we can learn from them when it comes to positive leadership and workplace culture.

2)     They embody something that is so beneficial to all our individual wellbeing - they tend to be ‘self-concordant'. This simply means they authentically act in line with their values and the things they find personally meaningful and enjoyable. They are not overly distracted by mass-approval, status, ‘likes’, and shiny awards – those things that so many studies reveal take us off track from leading a happy, fulfilled life.

One of the best examples of a positive maverick character I have come across (to an extreme extent) is Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja (pictured above), who embarked on and succeeded in a seemingly impossible quest to summit all 14 of the world's 8000-meter peaks in seven months (I highly recommend watching the Netflix documentary on his story).  His vision, and a host of personal qualities, inspired not only his team but also the idea of what is possible, for millions of people around the world.

Why am I sharing this?

Because by looking at the qualities of positive mavericks, and how these qualities align with individual and group wellbeing, then we can learn a lot as individuals and as managers and leaders.

The 10 qualities of a positive maverick:

1.      Independent thinkers, normally with a high degree of curiosity; whilst they listen keenly to others, they are not limited by ‘group think.’ As we know ‘group think’ not only keeps people stuck and fresh ideas supressed, but it also is not conducive to an inclusive culture, in which people feel free to speak up and share different experiences and perspectives. Positive mavericks do the opposite of ‘group think.’ They put themselves out there, making it easier for others to do the same.

2.      With high integrity, they dare to stand up for what they believe in, and tend to act before others, because they are less fearful of looking silly or of consequences that may negatively impact them. In the case of my clients this includes taking steps to support their teams’ wellbeing, even if it means sticking their neck out with their own bosses to do so. For others, it may be being the first to speak out against bullying or come up with ideas for new ways of working. They will challenge the status quo with conviction and courage, and they tend to inspire others, as they pave the way.

3.      Aligned with this, they are also what I call ‘can-do, will-do’ people (in that they have a high degree of agency). This is beneficial to those they work with, but it is also shown to be positively associated with personal wellbeing.

4.      They naturally draw insights from across disciplines, not confined by the usual way of doing things, which is inspiring (and yes, sometimes disconcerting) for those they work with.

5.      They are ahead of the curve. For instance, I don’t need to talk to them about why supporting their own and their teams’ wellbeing is important… they have already read books on it, listened to podcasts, scanned the odd paper in a journal and are already onto asking me questions that open fascinating conversations. This is just one example of course. Whatever their interests, they keenly aim to integrate whatever ‘lights them up’ into their lives.

6.      The positive mavericks I love working with are also pro-social, in that their motivations tend to be driven by doing good and benefitting others or some greater cause (not just themselves). Unsurprisingly, this draws people to them and normally plays a part in their success, which whilst not their main intention, obviously also benefits their own wellbeing and performance.

7.      They are visionaries, and whilst they often recognise areas for improvement they lean towards optimism and hope, because, without hope there is no drive towards change. Hope, accompanied by a strong ‘why’ (one that aligns with our personal values) is the fuel we all need to keep ourselves moving forward. It is also vital to our personal wellbeing. They are great at sharing their hope and their ‘why’ which can be helpful in creating focus and positive movement forwards.

8.      They work productively and effectively towards positive change. So, whilst they may be challenger types, as positive mavericks, they draw on social intelligence and ethical values to move forward, working with others and naturally bringing others along with them. So, whilst assertive, they are not interested in walking over anyone to achieve their vision.

9.      They know their own strengths. It is said that great leaders tend to know their own strengths, rather than trying to emulate the strengths and positive mavericks do just this. They also support others in doing the same. They are the managers and leaders who seek to help employees identify their own unique strengths so that they can fulfil their own potential. They know there is not always one way to do everything or one ‘type’ of person to get the job done. They embrace differences and see the role those differences play in creating dynamic teams.

10.   They are vulnerable and are not afraid to open-up and show their weakness, fears, or ‘failures’. This makes workshops with these leaders in the room far more effective as it gives everyone else permission to be themselves as they pave the way for others to show up authentically. Their curiosity in listening to others creates a non-judgemental space. Plus, by pulling back the curtain on the tough bits of their own experiences, or the ways in which they ‘fill their own cups’, others can relate to them, meaning they naturally make for inspirational role models.

Whilst positive mavericks are an inspirational force and there is so much that we can learn and gain from them, I do not share this to suggest we all have to force ourselves to show up in exactly the same way.  In fact, the opposite…positive mavericks show us that it is good to be, and to think differently, and that we can do that without it being to the detriment of others.

However, I am guessing you’ve pondered whether you have any of the qualities above.

Do you see any positive maverick qualities in yourself?

If so, does this help you better understand the role these qualities play in supporting how you feel, show up and perform?

If not, does reading the above inspire you to lean-into your own values and strength with more conviction?  

Do you know anyone else who embodies all or many of these qualities and if so, do you recognise the positive influence they have?

As you can imagine, positive mavericks fare better in more progressive workplaces, where their qualities are welcomed. In workplaces that are less progressive, they may be considered a nuisance, but it is perhaps in these places that they play the most important role, as they have the conviction and tenacity to help shape more inclusive, collaborative cultures, albeit it may be at a slower pace.

I have looked at myself through the lens of these qualities and it has been an interesting exercise…

Whilst I don’t claim to be 100% positive maverick, I realise I have moved so much more in that direction over the years thanks to the great mentors, bosses, friends, and the inspirational role models I have met through my work, my travels and living in different countries. Also, learning about the importance of self-concordance has helped.

Now in my forties I am far more of a positive maverick than I was in my twenties when in the workplace at least, I was more driven by being accepted, fitting in, and towing the line.  Now, I have truly found my feet, my values, passions, my voice and in turn, I suppose, my ‘brave’. 

In my case, I drive forward the change I believe in… which, when it comes to the workplace, is that:

We all deserve to be happy at work and happier workplaces benefit everyone’s wellbeing and performance.

We have all got those subjects that can make us show up as more assertive, enthusiastic, and articulate and one of those for me is that:

Work should and can contribute to, not detract from our wellbeing. 

I am also very passionate about the fact that we can all do more to support our own wellbeing and I can get very ‘positively maverick’ about this too!

Is there a subject, focus or cause, which ignites these qualities in you? If so, this will be an indicator of your personal values and interests, so it is worth a little reflection.

As it is clear to see, the more we embrace those people who embody the qualities above, who dare to speak up and share different thoughts and ideas, whilst balancing that with humility, diplomacy, and curiosity, the more we lay the foundations for inclusive, collaborative, and creative cultures.

On an individual level, the lesson is that it is by following what matters most to us we end up much buoyant, enthused and fulfilled, while impacting those around us in a positive way.