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The Power Of Disruptive Technology

We seem to like to talk about disrupting just about everything these days.  I recently did a Google search on “disruptive technology” and it returned over 33.5 million results.  That’s a lot of disruption!  Let’s talk a little about the word “disruption” and what it means to “disrupt”.

Merriam-Webster defines the word “disrupt” as:

1a: to break apart: rupture three periods of faulting disrupted the rocks—University of Arizona Record

b: to throw into disorder demonstrators trying to disrupt the meeting

2: to interrupt the normal course or unity of … disrupted a bridge game by permanently hiding up the ace of spades … —Scott Fitzgerald can disrupt an industry with new technology

So why are we always pursuing and rewarding disruptive behavior?

I recently read an article in Forbes, by Julian Birkinshaw, dating back to April 3, 2017, that stated: “Disruption may be the most overused term in the business lexicon today. Every startup wants to disrupt the established order. Every incumbent is scared of being disrupted. Disruption is a rallying cry or a bogeyman, depending on where you sit. And no one is immune: if an executive dares to suggest that their industry is free from the threat of disruption, they are accused of being short-sighted or in denial, and heading the way of the Titanic or the T-Rex.”

After the natural disruptions have passed we ban together to rebuild.  We try to gain order.  We work to bring a sense of stability back to those that have been affected.

Consider the disruptive events that occur in nature; fires, floods, and landslides.  We try to predict them but they are unpredictable.  We attempt to get out of their way when approach is inevitable.   We can try to control them but they have a life of their own and with each action, we can cause a negative reaction that may cost lives.  After the natural disruptions have passed we ban together to rebuild.  We try to gain order.  We work to bring a sense of stability back to those that have been affected. The disruptive nature of the corporate machine doesn’t take that time.  It readily searches for those willing to disrupt repeatedly. Those wanting to organize and bring normalcy after substantial disruption are considered obstacles instead of necessity for the continued success of the corporate machine.

Disruption in the corporate machine creates many casualties.  It is difficult to maneuver through the corporate fires that rage out of control.  Fires are being set constantly and there are those that fan the flames.  Those brave enough to try to put out the fires are sometimes the ones that get burned and are then easily removed from the machine as not capable.

We flood the corporate beast with ideas, thoughts, projects that are never able to fully take shape because the rain continues to wash them away.  The strong stay at the surface treading water waiting for their ship to come in but eventually they tire from the constant waves of change and drown in the choppy ocean of disruptive debris left behind. We stand at the top of our careers feeling we finally have made it only to be washed away in the landslide of widespread change.  Those at the top pushing others down in an effort to keep their precious piece of the shaky ground that may disappear under their feet at any time.

So what is my message?  Can we begin to limit our use of the word “disruptive” in everything we do?  Can we perhaps spend more time on the rebuilding of what technology has disrupted?  Learn to communicate better.  Learn to listen to others more.  Set our devices down and have real conversations with those around us?   Perhaps that which we are searching for as the “next great thing” would come if we just stopped trying to disrupt everything we touch.

Raissa Urdiales
Raissa Urdiales
Raissa lived most of her life along the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. She currently lives in the quiet city of Tega Cay, South Carolina, just across the border from the very active art community of Charlotte, North Carolina. Raissa has not always considered herself as an artist. She spent a great portion of her adult life staring into computer screens and managing computer system implementations and upgrades in the traditional corporate setting. It was through a chance paint night that she discovered her passion for painting. On her 51st birthday, she treated herself to some acrylic paints and brushes and has not stopped painting since. She balances her passion for creating with her day job as a systems analyst. In the wee hours of the morning, you will find her painting before she immerses herself in the technology that is consuming the world today. Although Raissa does not have formal training in the arts she is very conscious of the benefits it has on the human psyche. She holds a Bachelor's of Science majoring in Psychology where she focused her studies on Organizational Psychology. Through her corporate career, she has learned how to strike a balance between that which provides monetary reward and that which fulfills us as humans. For her, this balance is obtained through painting, writing, and exercise. She is currently a member of the Guild of Charlotte Artists where she exhibits select pieces during the quarterly art shows in and around the Charlotte Metropolitan Area. She has also submitted and is featured regularly in the Light Space & Time online gallery. When she is not painting or working with computer systems, she is writing. She currently has a column with BIZCATALYST 360° named “Artful Being” where she writes on topics both in and out of her corporate life to help others gain balance on what it is to be human.

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2 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Wow, I love your message here Raissa! “Disruptive Technology!” My husband and I made a vow to one another, “no social media on the weekends,” because this is our family time. A time to reconnect from the hectic week. I pushed the envelope a little further; on Monday’s I do not do social media either. I use that day to rejuvenate from the weekend. It’s crazy out there, to say the least. We’ve stopped going to gatherings because we do not see the point. My husband always asks, “Did you invite us over to play with your phone?” While technology can be amazing it can also be a hindrance. I agree with you 100%, put the phone down and have a normal conversation!

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