Go Rogue: how to turn frustration into opportunity
Frustration is a beautiful thing, it’s a glimpse of something that others may not see.
Growing up, school was a problem for me. School is a box, and I didn’t fit.
I tried to reshape it to something that worked for me. I challenged my teachers, I rethought assignments and pushed them into scenarios they probably weren’t trained for.
This led to low grades, detentions, remedial classes and repeated years. It fueled my frustration.
I turned this frustration into motivation to do life differently. Instead of studying to get into university I was up late at night learning how to make digital art and emailing graphics to promotors, hoping they would think of me next time they needed a flyer for an event.
At 19 I got my first job as a graphic designer for a clothing label that sponsored a party that I did the graphics for. I was officially a designer. And, I did it all outside of the box that was given to me, I built myself a new box.
Understanding frustration
Frustration is a raw energy that builds up within someone. It’s born from a new perspective that doesn’t fit into the box around that person. This can cause people want to break the box, to do things differently, to go rogue.
This energy fuels rogues, they become forces of nature who seem to work against those around them. That’s not their intent. That’s just the energy they have within in them, shining so brightly that it’s burning them.
Frustration is a beautiful thing, it’s a glimpse of something that others may not see. It might be a way to make something a little better, to make a better box. We must learn to move this ball of energy from within us — where it can burn us, to above us — where it can be shaped into a star that can guide us.
Here’s how you can turn your frustration into a beautiful opportunity:
Managing frustration
Communicate: Sending up a flare
Communication and escalation are your best friends. Communicate with your mentors and managers about your frustrations, this helps move the energy out of you and place it above you. It’s like sending your energy up into the air like a flare.
Your mentors are there to help you. Once they can see your energy, they can help you shape it into something positive. And in doing so, we protect ourselves and those around us from its burn.
We must have the courage to push this energy out into the open, because it’s dangerous if we keep it within. The energy will build up. And we risk isolating ourselves and bringing toxicity to those around us.
Collaborate: Creating a guiding star
When you want to change or create a new box you may need to get people onboard with your new perspective. Stories and artifacts are a great way to build a guiding star to lead the way.
The best way I’ve seen this done is from a former Head of Design at Xero. If he had an idea born of frustration, he would create a story that always started with two simple words — “Imagine if…”.
By starting with those words, you’re opening up peoples minds. And start a productive conversation about how they can help.
New perspectives of your energy will naturally form. What are the benefits of this new perspective? What are the risks of doing it and what are the risks of not doing it? An understanding will be built, your story will develop. Your energy will start to take shape into a star.
The benefit of talking to people about your star is everyone feels included. You’re not isolating yourself which can be seen as defiant, you’re being inclusive which will be seen as influential.
Inspire: Point others towards the stars
I worked at a company that was in the process of building their design system, — a box for designers to work within. A friend of mine, an extremely strong and opinionated designer, challenged this system frequently. He figured out a way to safely go rogue and work outside of the box. Eventually releasing a product that was celebrated by its users and the leadership team.
Not only did the star he created help reshape the box, but when his leaders pointed towards the star. This inspired me and others to look for opportunities. This creates passion within the team.
And passion is powerful and contagious.
Nothing is off limits
Nothing is carved in stone. Not the things we create, not the box’s we live in, not the behaviour of ourselves or the people around us.
Everything can be questioned, everything can be changed. Question “why is it done that way?”, “can it be done this way?”, “how can we do less of this and more of that?”.
We have the power to change our box’s. We can be a battering ram, pushing for something better. Sometimes we will get tired of pushing — and that’s totally ok. If we make our stars visible to those around us, there will be a light to inspire others to keep going.
For the rogues
Don’t work in isolation. Share and communicate early and often. Seek understanding, seek clarity, seek alternative perspectives. You have ideas, you have energy. You can bring passion to those around you, but only if you work out in the open. Share your stories, hold your energy above you in the open.
For those who create the boxes
Allow these boxes to change shape if they need to. Create a safe environment for your rogues to work within, encourage communication and feedback. Bring your rogues closer, help shape their energy into a star.
Collectively we can celebrate change for the better, inspiring and empowering others to turn their frustration into an opportunity.
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Want more? Check out the short talk I gave on this topic at DesignOps Melbourne. It’s got a little extra meat, plus a short Q&A session.
