The Art of Insubordination audiobook cover - How to Dissent and Defy Effectively

The Art of Insubordination

How to Dissent and Defy Effectively

Todd B. Kashdan

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Categories:
PsychologyPersonal DevelopmentMotivation & Inspiration

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The Art of Insubordination
Principled Insubordination+
The Trap of Conformity+
The Power of Dissent+
Persuasion & Communication+
Managing Discomfort+
Winning Responsibly+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What is 'principled insubordination' as defined in the book?
  • A. Rebelling against authority strictly for personal gain and advancement.
  • B. A type of deviance intended to improve society while causing minimal harm.
  • C. The act of questioning all established rules regardless of their social utility.
  • D. Overthrowing a government through aggressive and highly disruptive tactics.
Question 2 of 7
Why do most professional basketball players avoid the highly accurate 'underhand' method of shooting free throws?
  • A. It requires a complex understanding of physics that most players lack.
  • B. The rules of professional basketball strictly prohibit the technique.
  • C. The human tendency to conform makes them fear looking foolish or 'girly.'
  • D. It is only effective for players who are shorter than average.
Question 3 of 7
What did the acupuncture study conducted by Eidelman and Crandall reveal about human psychology?
  • A. People naturally prefer medical treatments that have been scientifically proven.
  • B. People tend to blindly assume that something is better simply because it has been around longer.
  • C. Humans are highly rational beings when evaluating potential health benefits.
  • D. Humans are highly skeptical of ancient practices until modern science validates them.
Question 4 of 7
According to research on group dynamics, what happens when a work team includes a trained 'principled insubordinate'?
  • A. The team produces more original ideas, despite experiencing an increase in conflict.
  • B. The team experiences absolute harmony and reaches consensus much faster.
  • C. The team's overall performance drops significantly due to constant disagreements.
  • D. The insubordinate is usually ignored unless they make up at least 50 percent of the group.
Question 5 of 7
Based on the example of the band Fugazi, what is one of the best communication tactics a minority dissenter can use to influence the majority?
  • A. Using fear tactics to highlight the immediate dangers of the majority's views.
  • B. Being 'flexibly consistent' by holding firm on major issues while bending on minor ones.
  • C. Preaching their beliefs aggressively to ensure their message cannot be ignored.
  • D. Constantly changing their core message to appeal to different demographics.
Question 6 of 7
What is 'cognitive defusion' in the context of managing the distress of rebellion?
  • A. Distracting oneself from unpleasant thoughts by engaging in intense physical activity or media consumption.
  • B. A technique where you create mental space between yourself and your thoughts, treating your mind as a separate entity.
  • C. The process of completely eliminating negative thoughts and replacing them with positive affirmations.
  • D. A coping mechanism where you project your anger onto the people who oppose your cause.
Question 7 of 7
What psychological trap often catches successful insubordinates once they gain power, as illustrated by the story of Evo Morales?
  • A. They lose interest in politics and abandon their leadership roles too early.
  • B. They become overly empathetic to their former enemies, alienating their original supporters.
  • C. They fall prey to in-group biases, leading them to persecute the new minority and quash dissent.
  • D. They become paralyzed by the fear of revolution and refuse to enact any new laws.

The Art of Insubordination — Full Chapter Overview

The Art of Insubordination Summary & Overview

The Art of Insubordination (2022) is a research-based, science-backed, anecdote-packed ode to all the rebels and revolutionaries out there. It highlights the importance of dissent in society and teaches aspiring nonconformists the skills they need to confidently challenge majority viewpoints, manage discomfort when rebelling, and avoid losing hold of their most cherished values in the process.

Who Should Listen to The Art of Insubordination?

  • Rebels, resistors, radicals, and revolutionaries 
  • People with minority viewpoints nervous about speaking up against the majority
  • People with majority viewpoints who want to unlock the power of dissent and debate

About the Author: Todd B. Kashdan

Todd B. Kashdan is a professor of psychology at George Mason University. There, he also leads the Well-Being Laboratory, where he conducts research on how to sustain happiness and meaning in life. He received the Distinguished Scientific Early Career Award from the American Psychological Association in 2013, and his other books include The Upside of Your Dark Side and Curious?

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