Leading With Provocations
Yesterday, I had a person describe some of my comments during a meeting as “provocations.” My comments were related to my desire to eliminate credits in education and work toward knowing what transferable skills students had mastered. Then instead of being locked/tied to courses we would be linked by the skills students were learning in their relevant contexts. If that makes me a “provocateur”- guilty! By the way; tomorrow I will post about being a provocateur. I had to think for a moment about what a provocation was. A provocation is a statement, action, or idea that is intended to provoke or stimulate new thoughts, discussions, or actions. It can be positive or negative, depending on the context and intent behind it. In a positive sense, a provocation can be a thought-provoking question, a challenging perspective, or an innovative idea that encourages people to think differently and come up with creative solutions. It can push boundaries, generate excitement, and inspire breakthroughs.
Yes, provocations can be valuable when coming from a visionary leader. A visionary leader often challenges the status quo and pushes boundaries to drive innovation and change. By provoking their team or organization, they encourage creativity, critical thinking, and new perspectives that can lead to breakthrough ideas and solutions. However, it is important for a visionary leader to balance their provocations with support, guidance, and open communication to ensure that their team feels empowered and motivated rather than demoralized or overwhelmed.
Conversely, I do recognize that a provocation used negatively can be a deliberate attempt to upset, anger, or disturb someone. It can create tension, conflict, and negative emotions. This type of provocation is often not productive and can hinder progress or damage relationships. These provocations are what I call being “snarky.” Never helpful. Not saying I don’t have to fight being snarky at times – I think we all do.
As a leader or team member, it’s important to use provocations in a positive and constructive way. Encouraging healthy debates, encouraging thinking outside the box, and empowering others to challenge the status quo can lead to innovation and growth. However, it’s crucial to consider the impact and intent behind your provocations to ensure they are beneficial rather than harmful.
Byron's Babbles 
[…] to provoke is to take action aimed at eliciting a response. Today, as I advertised yesterday in Leading With Provocations, I am writing about being a provocateur. The provocation elicits a response because it disturbs the […]
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