a) for the website definition of Positive Deviance, please click here and then return to this blog.
OR
b) For the Liz Beattie definition, please click here.
Hi... you have chosen the website definition and now you have returned to this blog. I would like to begin by saying that I am slightly disappointed, as it is difficult to understand how you did not choose the Liz Beattie definition. Liz Beattie is an exceptional person. In fact, I might argue that she fits the mold of positive deviance. However, I have just been informed that Beattie can not be placed into a mold and I have to say I agree. But that my friends, is exactly what positive deviance is all about. An exceptional person who does not fit our standards of how things should be, but who comes up with creative solutions that often better the situation for everyone. You are now faced with another crossroads. On this "choose your own adventure", would you like to see an example of Positive Deviance, to confirm that I am not misleading you with my example? If so, please click this link. If you need further convincing, please click here to return to Liz Beattie's Blog.
Oh hello.. you're back again. Good to see you. You might think I don't like you, but it's not true. I know I keep sending you to Liz Beattie's blog, but really... she's positively deviant, and I am doing you a favour. But here you are... a taste for the common, a desire for the normal. Perhaps it is more familiar for you. That's okay. People don't always feel comfortable with the positive deviants. Nor should they. That's the point. But they are there. Behind the scenes. Fixing shit. Fixing all kinds of good things. Perhaps we should harness their energy, their creativity, their enthusiasm.
However, like with anything, we are constantly making assumptions and putting our own subjective lens over the situation. I feel like taking this moment to look through my own lenses to try to analyze what assumptions I am currently making about these positive deviants. It is clear that my personal lens has already been exposed. I believe in looking at assets first. I am in fact looking at Asset -Based Community Development for my thesis topic. So, I wont lie to you - I am biased. And I think that this notion of looking for assets and exceptional individuals who can help to shape the future of a community is a very positive and beneficial thing. But I will try to unpack my biases in an .... uh, unbiased way?
Okay... here we go. Unpacking.... dirty clothes into the laundry. One by one.
Special kids. Keeners. Overachievers. Superstars. Unsung heroes. Savants. Whatever you want to call them, there are people who stand out. Everywhere. All over the world. Sometimes it is called the tallest poppy syndrome - which is seen somewhat negatively. That is, the tallest poppy gets chopped down. Not as wonderful a way to look at it at positive deviance. But it happens.
And more commonly I see people getting shot down for being "too enthusiastic", "too keen" or too different from anyone else. Instead of being celebrated for who they are.
So let us celebrate those deviants. Let us embrace the differences. Let's think outside the box, and as a community work to find those outliers who might just be the key we need to find a new solution to the problems we confront.
Positive Deviance Initiative, 2010. Retrieved from: http://www.positivedeviance.org/
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