If we’re being really forthright, we’ve all experienced it. That nagging feeling that we’ve finally earned the next promotion after all these years of putting in the time and effort. That rise is well-deserved. We should have a place at the strategic meeting. Based on past achievements, it appears to be a justifiable promotion, a rightful position on a predetermined ladder.
The label given to this feeling is ‘entitlement‘.
As a society, we tend to see entitled people as spoilt brats who are always getting what they want. Whitney Johnson recasts entitlement in her brilliant book Disrupt Yourself as The Innovation Killer, an even more pervasive and dangerous trap than a manifest personality defect.
Chapter 4, “Battle Entitlement, the Innovation Killer“, serves as both an instruction manual and a rallying cry. It contends that we do not face a shortage of opportunity, resources, or ideas as the primary impediment to our personal and professional disruption. A soft, reassuring voice of entitlement in our minds tells us to keep what we have instead of seeking what we could have.
The “Innovation Killer”—What Is It?
Johnson describes an individual’s entitlement as “the belief that we deserve something we haven’t earned.” This view holds that our achievements thus far are merely investments in our future prosperity. This way of thinking kills innovation because, above all else, being an innovator means taking risks, being open to being a novice, and being vulnerable. By definition, entitlement shuns all three of these.
The motivation behind acting entitled is the desire to preserve one’s current position, one’s reputation, and one’s level of comfort. We’ve taken immense pride in our steady ascent up the S-curve of competence in our present position, and we’re currently relishing the peak experience. Instead of embracing an exhilarating new experience, the idea of embarking on an unfamiliar S-curve evokes a sense of complete inexperience. The arrogant part of our thinking yells, “I shouldn’t have to start over! I have already worked the hours!”
This situation represents the breaking point for our progress. We stop being open to criticism, danger, and the possibility that our ideas might not work. Our focus shifts from discovery to defence.
Warning Signs: Is a Sense of Superiority Restricting Your Success?
Your demands may not be loud and clear, but there are numerous subtle ways that entitlement can show itself. Check to see if anything here seems familiar:
- Do you initially become defensive or annoyed when someone approaches you for assistance with something unrelated to your job? This is known as the “That’s Not My Job” reflex. Those with an entitled view would see this as an insult, while those with an innovative view would see it as a chance to learn.
- Do you refrain from acquiring new knowledge out of fear that you might ask “dumb questions” or make awkward errors? This could be true for new skills, software, or even whole industries. With its fixation on the permanent “expert” label, entitlement shies away from the more transitory “novice“.
- Pointing Fingers at Other People: Instead of taking a keen look at your shortcomings, do you tend to place the blame on outside forces (such as an unjust manager, the system, or office politics) when a project doesn’t work out or someone else receives the promotion?
- Looking for a Straight Line: Are you of the belief that your professional journey should be guided by a predetermined path of steady advancement with regular benefits? Excessive entitlement manifests itself in this kind of linear thinking. If it wants to be truly disruptive, it has to take lateral moves, pauses, and perhaps even short steps “back” before making a last, decisive leap ahead.
- A Loss of Interest: When we feel entitled, we stop caring about learning new things. It extinguishes the curiosity and inquisitiveness that drive creativity. When you have mastered something, there’s no use in learning more.
The Anti-dote: How to Foster an Inquisitive Mindset
A mindset of discovery can cure entitlement, the innovation killer. Johnson doesn’t merely point out the issue; she lays out the steps to fix it. Combating entitlement isn’t about shaming yourself; rather, it’s about actively embracing a more liberating and, in the end, more fruitful outlook.
1. Recognise the Novice’s Power.
The most creative thinkers maintain an open-minded approach. In their thirst for knowledge, they are not afraid to make naive assumptions, ask basic questions, and even look silly. If you want to shake things up in your life, you have to be willing to return to the unsettling, chaotic, yet remarkably fruitful beginning of a learning curve. Superpower: the humility to admit you’re only starting off.
2. Put Your Emphasis on Giving, Not Getting.
Entitlement is completely focused on obtaining things. What it can offer is the focal point of a discovery attitude. Instead of asking, “What does the company owe me?” Redirect your internal focus to “What value can I create here?” or “What problems can I solve?” It is incredibly freeing to move from an attitude of receiving to one of contributing. The initiative and control are once again with you.
3. Release Your Fixation on the Implied Result.
Entitlement seeks assurance of profit. It seeks assurance that its risks will be compensated for. Exploring uncharted territory with no assurances is the essence of genuine innovation. Embrace risk-taking. Recognise and appreciate “smart failures”, which yield useful information. Put more value on the bravery to try and the depth of your understanding than on any particular result.
4. Appreciate the Journey, Not Just the End Goal.
The focus of entitlement is on the end result, such as the title, the income, or the praise. With a discovery mindset, the process itself is enjoyable, whether it’s the “aha!” moment of a breakthrough, the challenge of learning, or the companionship of working with others. Gratitude for daily improvement protects you from disappointed (and frequently false) expectations.
An Autobiographical Account: My Struggle Against Entitlement
A few years ago, I experienced a sense of stagnation. I was well-known in my field, had earned the title of “automotive expert”, and had reached a certain degree of competence in it. Still, it seemed like my progress had stopped. Persuaded that I had “earned” my next great opportunity, I patiently awaited its arrival.
I had a serious case of career entitlement and had no idea it was affecting me. It felt “below” my pay grade to assist with a freshman’s project. As soon as I found out I would be assisting a large number of recent college grads, I became bored. Someone in my spoilt ego said, “I shouldn’t have to do these tasks anymore.” I was hesitant. My steps were laborious.
Thankfully, I did not let my pride prevent me from jumping in. Not only did the assignment push me beyond my comfort zone and teach me a new software tool, but it also introduced me to a few junior colleagues who offered a fresh perspective. They instructed me in the use of R and AI/ML. Thanks to my extensive knowledge in the field, we were able to develop a reliable model for estimating the life of a component. Without that “step down” leading to a “step up” in my life, I would have missed out on an improved method of operation and a meaningful connection.
This chapter (#4) and that event underscored a crucial point: innovation necessitates both humility and brilliance. It requires the humility to begin anew. You may be overqualified for the job you’re doing, but you should be modest enough to admit it. Having the modesty to recognise that your current approach is unlikely to lead you to success.
Not a throne to sit on, but a foundation to develop from—that is your prior success.
Rise Up and Disrupt Yourself: A Call to Arms
Whitney Johnson’s message makes it clear that the disruptive road is not for the entitled. Only the modest, inquisitive, and courageous should attempt it. To do this, you must be willing to trade your current knowledge for the chance of future success.
Every day, you engage in a daily battle against entitlement. Asking a question instead of assuming you already know the answer is a deliberate decision. It’s like offering to help out with the unglamorous project instead of the glamorous one. It’s about valuing your ability to learn and adapt rather than your past accomplishments.
So, turn within. Is there something, like that little voice of entitlement, limiting you? Find it, appreciate its efforts to keep you safe, and then decisively go in a different direction. Opt for exploration. Embrace modesty. Decide how to proceed to the next S-curve.
Your creative, future self will be eternally grateful.
How is your sense of entitlement subtly limiting your progress? Do you need to let go of your expectations of yourself to make room for what you can find?
I’m curious to know if you’ve ever experienced a comparable awakening. Drop in a comment; we can continue on your growth journey.
