Are Passion-Driven Teams More Effective Than Traditional Leadership?
Perry Knoppert, founder of the Octopus Movement, and Karen Zeigler, his Chief of Staff, explained how they run their organization in a new way. The Octopus Movement is a global nonprofit bringing together "nonlinear thinkers" to solve complex global challenges.
Key Takeaways
Nonlinear thinking as a competitive advantage: Perry and Karen explained that while 80% of people think linearly, tapping into the 20% who think nonlinearly can solve problems faster and more creatively.
Value-based vs. relationship-based identity: Traditional organizations identify people based on their relationship to the company (job titles, roles), while the Octopus Movement focuses on values and personal identity, creating more meaningful connections.
Culture emerges, it isn't designed: Rather than defining culture from the top down, the Octopus Movement creates space where culture emerges naturally from the people involved.
Notable Quotes
"It's not about the Chief of Staff and the Chief of Staff is Karen. It's the other way around... that's why it works so well that our personalities fit very well together."
"You have at least 20% of your people in the company that are pretty nonlinear but they're not showing it to you... most of them are in disguise."
"I would say you have them in your organization and they're probably... seen as a problem. They're either always asking why or questioning the system. You see them as rebels... they actually are the people that have other ideas of how something could work."
Real-World Applications
Identify the nonlinear thinkers in your team: Look for people who question systems, ask "why" frequently, or approach problems differently. These team members can be your greatest assets for innovation.
Let go of expectations when solving problems: Remove predetermined endpoints and allow for exploration and iteration to discover unexpected solutions.
Reconsider what makes someone a good Chief of Staff: Rather than focusing on specific skills or experience, look for someone who intuitively understands both the big picture and the details and shares your passion for the mission.
The Octopus Movement offers a refreshing alternative to traditional organizational structures. By embracing nonlinear thinking and creating spaces where people can be authentically themselves, they're demonstrating that passion-aligned teams can tackle complex global challenges with remarkable speed and creativity. Their approach suggests that many organizations already have the talent they need to solve their biggest problems—if only they'd recognize and nurture their nonlinear thinkers.
01:13 Overview of The Octopus Movement
03:43 Bringing on a Chief of Staff
05:44 Communication and Trust
13:05 Nonlinear Thinking and Company Culture
18:06 Leadership and Identity
20:34 Future Projects and Initiatives
22:39 Engaging Kids in Problem Solving
23:37 Supporting Global Initiatives
24:09 Documentary and Book Projects
25:55 Practical Advice for Nonlinear Thinking
28:12 Identifying Nonlinear Thinkers in Organizations
31:16 Advice for Executives and Chiefs of Staff
32:17 Finding the Right Chief of Staff
37:43 Connecting with the Octopus Movement
38:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.