Overview

Every organizational leader tasked with spurring growth faces fluctuating markets and changing consumer behaviors. It's no longer enough for them to avoid complacency. Today, forward-thinking creatives, entrepreneurs, and executives must strive to actually evolve and unlock innovation. In Disruptor: How to Challenge the Status Quo and Unlock Innovation, Alex Gonzalez profiles some of the biggest industry leaders and asks, ""How do you push boundaries and find unconventional solutions when the status quo of most organizations is to preserve normalcy and stability?"" Each chapter offers insightful lessons, mindset shifts, and practical solutions on how to be a disruptor in your organization. Readers will learn: How to understand organizational and personal risk and its impact on innovation Why it's vital to embrace diverse perspectives - not just in terms of demographics, but also based on geographic locations and life experiences How to embrace the 3 C's (Conflict, Confusion, and Creativity) to challenge the status quo and drive organizational transformation Why customer obsession requires understanding your customer's needs better than they do, and then advocating for them Why business acumen and change leadership are essential for disruption Throughout the book, Gonzalez blends personal observations from corporate, entrepreneurial, and civic roles with first-hand accounts and insights from other corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators. He tells stories about disruptors in global corporations, fast-growing startups, movie studios, and high-end restaurants. And readers will join him on his journey as a cultural and corporate 'contradiction, ' which empowered Gonzalez to embrace and pursue innovation with other leaders. By the end of the book, you'll have a better understanding of not only what it means to be a disruptor but also why today's most successful and innovative organizations depend on them.

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Table of Contents

Reviews

""Alex Gonzalez brings intellectual curiosity to the topics of culture and leadership. In this book, he uncovers the unique set of traits that disruptive leaders must have and shares how those qualities shape the most innovative and creative companies."" Ben Chestnut, co-founder, Mailchimp ""Being comfortable with ambiguity and leading with a vision are necessary if you want to be a change leader. Alex tells inspiring stories of leaders who push past uncertainty to shape and advance creative change. Read it to get empowered and comfortable with innovating, especially if the outcome isn't clear."" Melissa Proctor, EVP and CMO, Atanta Hawks and State Farm Arena ""Innovation is only possible when individual leaders take risks and bold actions that challenge the status quo of an organization. This book is a perfect guide and source of confidence for any leader who wants to drive sustainable change in their company."" Beth Comstock, former vice chair and CMO, General Electric ""Alex Gonzalez has a brilliant mind that connects the power of creative thinking with the pragmatic realities of business. Disruptor brings forward the importance of creativity for anyone looking to challenge norms in their business. It'll empower you to think more broadly through a format that is filled with inspiring stories, credible experiences, and practical outcomes."" Frank Patterson, CEO, Trilith Studios, and Professor, Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts ""No matter the size of your business, if you're a leader who wants to drive fundamental and lasting change in your organization, you have to start with innovation. Alex explores the behaviors, skills, and actions needed. He takes an honest look at what it means to take risks as a leader, and the behaviors and skills necessary to unlock innovation. This book is an essential read for entrepreneurs and corporate leaders alike."" Stephanie Stuckey, CEO, Stuckey's ""Alex believes everyone has a story worth telling and his superpower is bringing those stories to life. That artfulness is on full display in this book, which discovers the common insights from startups across different stripes. I wish I had this book when I started my first company.""Marc Gorlin, founder and CEO, Roadie, Inc.

Author Information

Alex Gonzalez is an expert in innovation, strategic marketing, change leadership, strategy, and transformation with more than twenty-five years of business and leadership experience spanning corporate, entrepreneurial, and civic organizations.Currently, Alex is the Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, where he works with corporate leaders, marketers, creators, entrepreneurs, and founders to grow and promote the eighth-largest region in the U.S. He is a member of the Fast Company Impact Council, an invitation-only collective of innovative leaders and the most creative people in business. A purposeful, driven, optimistic, and adventurous leader, Alex is all about creating opportunity and growth for other innovators. He is a creative, courageous, and strategic thinker experienced with driving big, positive impacts in corporate, civic, and entrepreneurial settings.Every part of Alex's life reflects the courage and generosity he brings to innovation and disruption. He is a prolific author, blogger, and speaker. As the founder, executive producer, and host of Disruptor Studio digital series, he showcases inspirational leaders and innovators. And as the founder of Highwire Group, he coaches and consults change leaders for productive growth. Alex's extensive corporate leadership experience includes roles building the growth and innovation strategy at Equifax, as well as connecting brand promise, culture, and results at GE Insurance Solutions. He holds a finance degree from the University of South Florida. He's the proud dad of three adult sons Chris, Ben, and Will, who are setting out to positively disrupt their own worlds. As they do, he's enjoying getting even more time with his wife, Mandy.

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