Challenging the Status Quo

What does it mean to challenge the status quo? It means to do things drastically different from the normal order so as to make better positive impact; deepen mental capacities; and create greater development. Something like 'healthy rebellion' (if there's anything like that). One thing is common about every individual, leader, movement, and organization that has ever been famous and great - they challenged the status quo!

Martin Luther, a German professor of theology, composer, priest, and monk, is one of Western history’s most significant figures. At the age of about 34, in 1517, Martin Luther publicly objected to the way the church was selling indulgences - documents bought by individuals in order to be released from punishment as a result of their sins. Martin Luther challenged the status quo. He will be forever remembered for his translation of the Bible into German (a literary and biblical hallmark) which has triggered translations in hundreds of languages. Today, the Bible has become available to everyone, instead of an exclusive privilege of the clergy.

As millennials, also known as Generation Y, the whole world has had you stereo-typed. You have also been referred to as the “Peter Pan or Boomerang Generation” because of the tendency, of some of you, to move back in with your parents. This has been attributed to the situation of the economy and your inability to endure hardship. It has also been observed that you seem averse to the ‘adult life’ like getting married, holding a job, selecting a career, etc. Not done yet, you have been, variously, described as lazy, conceited, attention-seeking, and having unrealistic expectations about life. So, typically, you are expected to laze about with your ear piece and mobile phone, hang out with your friends (like, all day), hunger after the latest technological device, feel and act ‘entitled’, and generally, be obnoxious.

But it’s not all bad. There have also been some positive observations of you being more open-minded; more supportive of victims of inequalities and human rights; more confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and receptive to new ideas and ways of living (Douglas Main). It is with these positives that you can look around you and challenge the status quo, the stereo type, and break out of the box that will not fit your desire to make a difference in the world.

Apostle Paul challenged young Timothy thus: “Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Making a difference, challenging the status quo, therefore, shouldn’t be about your age, but about the example you set; the way you distinguish yourself.

Lolly Daskal is the Founder/CEO, Lead From Within. She believes that in challenging the status quo, we test our skills and challenge ourselves. She wants you to ask yourself:

• What needs to be challenged?
• What needs to be improved?
• What is the greatest risk?
• What can I expect?
• What can I learn?

She goes on to emphasize the following; “We are not here to stay content. We are here to do better. The gift of life is to make a difference, and the call of leadership is to say this is not good enough. We have the choice to make things better. We have an obligation to challenge the status quo. When we meet that obligation, we are inspiring others to do better and think bigger”.

After challenging the status quo, she then wants you to ask yourself:

• What have I learned?
• What did I not expect?
• What went right?
• What went wrong?
• What would I do differently?
• What could I have done better?

Lolly also advises, “Don’t challenge for challenge’s sake; learn from the experience. When we challenge the status quo, we believe that our abilities will be able to make a difference”.

So, what action will you take to challenge the status quo today?