Disrupting Yourself w/ Whitney Johnson of Disruption Advisors

The Storied Future

In 1996, a 27-year-old woman walked into Smith Barney for her very first day as a secretary. A recent college grad with a degree in piano and no business experience, Ivy League pedigree, or marketable skills other than typing fast, it wasn't long before she saw the future she wanted: a career as an investment banker. But that future seemed out of reach. Or was it?
That woman was Whitney Johnson, and she's our guest on the very first episode of season 2 of the podcast. Whitney is the CEO of Disruption Advisors, a leadership development company that can help you grow your people to grow your business. She's also the host of the weekly podcast Disrupt Yourself, whose guests have included Alan Mulally, Brené Brown, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Stephen M.R. Covey.
In today's episode, Chris and Whitney cover:

• How Whitney learned to embrace, not run from, her origin story
• The massive influence Clayton Christensen and his work on disruption and innovation had on Whitney
• The importance of "throwing down the pom poms and getting in the game"
• How the "S curve" provides a powerful framework for Whitney's work as a disruption advisor
• Whether it's easier to disrupt yourself earlier or later in your career
• The zen of tennis, piano, and fly fishing

And much more!