In this context, we might even say "creative disruption." In dynamic systems, it is not a question of whether change will impact the organization, it is a question of when and by how much. In management parlance, we call this kind of mischief "creative destruction" (Joseph Schumpeter). Playful misbehavior with the intention of evoking transformation can lead to a wholesome and healthy organization that is a delight to work in. The childlike "mischief" just makes the game of leadership all that much more fun. In the context of leadership, I believe this curiosity and willingness to disrupt the norm are essential qualities. In another form (thanks to my father) it can manifest as an insatiable curiosity (a trait I share with Feynman) where I have a tendency to question nearly everything, sometimes to the point of seriously annoying the "that's the way we do it around here" crowd. I will admit that I share a tinge of Feynman's mischievousness, and more often than not it shows up in the form of a provocative question or a sarcastic quip. So it is with those truly unique individuals who cause mischief and disrupt the status quo. While I recommend Feynman's story (a New York Times bestseller at the time of its publication), I caution that it is not a politically correct book, nor was he a politically correct man. He eschewed conventional norms in science and society and left an indelible mark on both. It is a collection of vignettes from the life of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist. I am currently reading the autobiography of Richard Feynman entitled: Surely You're Joking Mr.
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