Positive deviance means doing the right thing for…
“Positive deviance means doing the right thing for sustainability, despite being surrounded by the wrong institutional structures, the wrong processes and stubbornly uncooperative people. That is what sustainability-literate leadership means today. Surrounded by evidence of rampant unsustainability it is not possible to say 'I did not know'”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advocates for ethical actions despite unsupportive institutions, highlighting the need for resilient, sustainability‑literate leaders.
In simple terms: Do the right thing even when systems resist.
Key Takeaway
Lead with integrity despite obstacles.
Themes
sustainability
leadership
ethics
resilience
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
motivational
strategic
When to use this quote
- corporate meetings
- NGO projects
- policy development
Key Concepts
institutional inertia
ethical decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders influence resistant systems?
- What personal habits sustain ethical action?
A Different Perspective
Change is hard without systemic support.