Leaders inspire people to do amazing things – the type of things their followers would not do on their own. With leadership, a vision and competitive advantage become reality. The more change a company faces, the greater the need for leaders. The more flexible a business must be to survive, the greater the need for leaders. Given that today’s environment is characterized by frequent change, leadership is more important than ever before.

Unconventional leaders go a step further. They lead their companies to repeatedly do or create things that people love but no one expected, especially their competition. Unconventional leaders are fanatical about the products and services they provide rather than profit, yet they tend to lead the most profitable businesses in their industries. They create companies built on innovation, flexibility and risk-taking that redefine their industries and sometimes the way people live. Through their companies, they often lead other firms in terms of technology, customer service, etc. Unconventional leaders beat the competition on a regular basis.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was a prime example of an unconventional leader. He didn’t look like the typical business leader, and his leadership style was anything but conventional. In fact, his background was contrary to what most people would expect of a successful corporate leader. He dropped out of college and had no formal management training. Despite this, or maybe because of this, he had an unconventional leadership style that led to the creation of an unconventional firm. In fact, the people with the most education and experience are often the most conventional thinkers.

Unconventional thinkers

Unconventional leaders are unconventional thinkers; but what does that mean? Their ideas come from a wide range of areas. They often use bits and pieces of simple concepts in unique combinations to create new solutions to problems. Their unique thinking is often reflected in their eclectic mix of interests and people with whom they form relationships. They like information and ideas, and often focus on things that most people overlook. Unconventional people like to think about things and understand them fully.

Compare the difference between conventional and unconventional thinkers:

Conventional thinkers…

• Like safety, avoid risk.
• Say things like “This is just the way we do things” and “Everyone does it this way.”
• Accept things as they are.
• Avoid expressing their ideas unless agreement is likely.
• Follow trends; there is safety in numbers.
• Are less willing to think, would rather continue doing things the same way.
• Consider agreement and consistency very important.
• Have a negative perception of differences; these are weird, strange, odd, etc.
• Do not question why things are the way they are, do not think of a better way.
• Value established knowledge.

Unconventional thinkers…

• Search for improvements or even perfection.
• Think and act differently from most people.
• Re-evaluate everything, including their beliefs, and change them if necessary.
• Integrate disparate ideas and knowledge into new ideas and solutions.
• Are not restricted by other people, do not care what they think or do.
• Like change, see it as an opportunity for improvement.
• Are willing to try new things and learn from them, whether or not they work out.
• Believe that constructive conflict leads to more ideas and a better understanding of issues.
• Openly express what’s on their mind.
• Value thinking and creating new knowledge.

Although it might not be an easy change, conventional thinkers can become more unconventional. Everyone is born an unconventional thinker. Just observe young children and you can see their amazing creativity and free thinking. Unfortunately, as kids get older, they are taught to think like everyone else. They learn to become conventional thinkers. However, if this can be learned, it can be unlearned. You might not become as unconventional and innovative as Steve Jobs, but you can become far less conventional in your thinking –  and become a more unconventional leader.

Here are some ideas you can use to start on that path:

• Force yourself to try new things: music, food, activities, travel.
• Question everything you do and believe; stop doing things to fit in or just because everyone else does it.
• Get used to people not agreeing with you. Always tell people what you think, even if they might not like it.
• Debate with people who disagree with you in order to understand their point of view. Accept their ideas even if they are different.
• Talk to people who are totally different from you and learn from them: younger, older, retired, foreigners, different professions.
• Try new ideas even if you are not sure they will work.
• When new ideas don’t work out, view this as part of the learning required to try new things – the cost of creativity – not as a failure or mistake.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously; use humor to make fun of yourself when things don’t work out.

Getting it done

Doing the above activities is easier if they are done with other people, so look for groups you can join or create to help you become more unconventional. While changing is not easy, becoming an unconventional leader has the potential to help you create significant competitive advantage based on innovation, flexibility and risk-taking.