Oh, those joyfully rebellious role models

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photo by Pablo Heimplatz

photo by Pablo Heimplatz

First, he would laugh at the craziness of what I was telling him. Because it seemed I went to him when I was in the thick of something messy.

Then he would offer thoughtful advice. No preaching.  And then at the end of our talks he’d often tell me that this would be another great adventure.

Frank, my former client and friend, was joyfully rebellious.

His infectious positivity motivated so many of us to do more than we thought possible.  

To take chances, laugh at the inanities of corporate politics, have a difficult conversation we kept dodging, learn more, dig deep to find the answers we needed, and to have fun along the way.

A few years ago, I called Frank to thank him for all that he had done for me over the years, and to update him about my labor of love helping Rebels at Work. “Well, that’s really different for you. Tell me more.” 

I called to express my gratitude to him, and then he told me what he had learned from me. Really? Such joy from a simple act, and an example of advice from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama from their book, “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. “If you want more joy in your life, focus on others.”

Frank McGonagle, joyfully rebellious

Frank McGonagle, joyfully rebellious

Frank McGonagle died a couple of weeks ago at 89. He lived a long life full of adventure and helping others, despite personal tragedy. (An interesting factoid: he coined the “You can pay me now or you can pay me later” slogan.)

Models of  joyful rebellion

People like Frank who have contributed so much are often joyfully rebellious. Not angry, fearful, stern, mean or arrogant.

Think about some joyfully rebellious public figures:

  • Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa

  • Ann Richards, former governor of Texas

  • Director Spike Lee

  • Writer/performer Patti Smith

  • Carmen Medina, my Rebels at Work partner and former CIA executive

  • Archbishop Desmond Tutu

  • Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

  • Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines

Why have so many used “beloved” when talking about these people?

My hunch is that their rebellious joy has infected us to keep going, to know we can do more, and to appreciate those moments of pleasure along the way.

We don’t have to be miserable as we work our work.

Last year at the Savannah Film Festival actor John David Washington was asked what it was like to work with Spike Lee on the film BlacKKKlansmen, especially the KKK scenes.

“Spike always showed up on the set full of wonder and joy,” said Washington.

Maybe the most rebellious thing we can do in our current world environment of fear, dissent and anger is to show up with more wonder and joy.

Here’s to joyful rebellion, helping one another, and being lucky enough to find role models like Frank along the way.