Rebellion: Is it ever worth it?
Ever wonder how our world would look if we all stood for something?
Meaning Uprising or Insurrection, rebellion is a refusal of Obedience or order, openly resisting against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and then manifests itself by the refusal to submit or to obey the authority responsible for this situation. It is important to note that rebellion can be as a collective or individually.
 Characteristics of a rebel
Rebels prefer being independent and do not like being told what to do, they would rather be on the other side – giving orders rather than taking them
Rebels don’t require a situation to be WRONG or BORING to choose another option or viewpoint. They do so because they feel like it even if the current situation seems PERFECT to others. Besides, nobody likes to be restrained in any way
Rebels dislike bowing down to authority so easily or accepting the status quo of the situation without question
 The perks of rebelling
Rebels are generally well-meaning and intelligent, besides being passionate, compassionate and determined individuals
 They have great potential to explore and lead others through uncharted waters
 At times it can be exciting to be around them
 They are original thinkers and show courage in the face of overwhelming opposition
 The enthusiasm of a rebel is very admirable whether or not you agree with their conviction
Negatives of rebelling
Rebels habitually challenge authority wherever it exists, which can have a number of negative consequences
 It can aggravate relationships with work colleagues
Their creativity can be embarrassing for others, such as when it comes to defending or showcasing unconventional ideas (i.e. wearing outrageous clothes or hairstyles to work just to make a point)
Don’t expect a rebel to be on friendly terms with you if you are the kind of person who accepts the status quo
In the extreme, rebellious personalities can be undiplomatic and disruptive
So, how do I do it?
When dealing with rebels at work, home, or in your social circle, understand that these people – like everyone – have a long history that shaped their personalities; their rebelliousness is not impulsive, nor is it designed to give others a hard time just because it’s fun to do so.
Many, if not all, rebels are psychologically driven by a false sense of superiority and wounded sense of powerlessness stemming from early childhood experiences. Their rebelliousness can be seen as a compensatory mechanism. If you understand this, it can help you feel compassion for the rebel.
If you think you can sway a rebel easily with logical arguments, you need to think again; hardcore rebels thrive off intellectual challenges and often have the most convincing viewpoints.
Show the rebel that you respect their views, even if you don’t agree with them. This way you will help defuse, rather than intensify any defiant stance.
When working with a rebel give them space to express their own ideas and use concrete outcomes to show the rebel whether their ideas were good ones or
Are you a rebel?
You know you are a true rebel if you:
Find the mere thought of accepting authority spine-tingling
Have a strong preference for doing things your way
Find yourself automatically nominated for leadership positions in group settings
Stick to your convictions, even if they go against the grain and get you into trouble
Are prepared to live and die alone rather than have your freedom to think for yourself restrained by the needs or desires of a partner?
How can I curb bad rebellion?
Since you value independent thinking and can be persuaded by logic, reflect on the fact that independence and a sense of freedom are not necessarily cancelled out by cooperation and acceptance – neither is cooperation inferior to independence.
Rebelliousness doesn’t mean being irresponsible. You know this, but not everyone sees it that way. Keep this in mind when you express your views.
Living a balanced life is key – learn to strike a balance between compromise, cooperation, and independence.
This article uses extracts from a presentation made by Eliakim Kichoi, a Traffic Manager at OG+A, during our weekly Knowledge Exchange (KXC) presentations.
