On July 24, Steve Boehlke shared with us advice gained from over two decades working in leadership development with organizations large and small, including Cargill, Merch and Nestle, among others.

His advice to young nonprofit professionals? If you want to create change, ask yourself, "How can I break the rules?" Because it's in those unwritten taboos at organizations that opportunities for growth can be found.

Steve's three "rules" for breaking the rules are:

1. No one is going to tell you what the rules are.

Within organizations, you become aculturated over time, and slowly learn what those unwritten taboos are.

2. To innovate, you must break the rules.

Although it may be scary to break away from how your organization does business, stepping out of the norm is the only way to create change.

3. If you're going to break the rules, do it with integrity.

In challenging your organization to change, let your moral compass and your commitment to mission guide you.

Did you miss Steve's talk? You can watch a video of him and YNPN-TC member Parker Genne discussing some of the ideas shared during his talk here.

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