Definition of a maverick

What is the definition of a maverick? Judith Germain defines a maverick as: Being wilfully independent.

Mavericks have a fierce sense of independence and can be found working within a company or owning one. It is their acute sense of independence that is common between the maverick at work and the maverick business owner. The symptoms that they display is very different which is why the approach that is used to harness their talent will differ. The definition of a maverick is important because it is by being sure of your definition will be the key to the solution.

Our specialism is working with mavericks.


The Maverick

Mavericks are easily bored and need to be given constant challenges to ensure that they are as productive and engaged as they could be. They tend to come up with innovative solutions and their way of working didn't fit the established corporate norms. The Maverick is unafraid to question authority, buck trends or do what is 'expected' and understands that they are a square peg in a round hole. They have realised that they are under utilised, bored in their roles and that they often act inappropriately in the circumstances that they find themselves in.

The Maverick hires us directly to work with them. They are keen to keep the fact that they are working with us confidential from their employers. The Maverick comes from all types of professions from professional partnerships like accountancy or law, corporate life or individuals running their own business.

The maverick at work

This is the type of person who is recognised as being Troublesome Talent® - definition of a maverick at work hugely talented but difficult to manage. They often complete targets and objectives with ease but cause enormous problems with colleagues and peers in the process. Troublesome Talent® are sometimes said to have a bullying approach and careless attitude to those around them. They tend to be mono focused on the task in hand and have the unerring habit of increasing staff turnover and lowering staff morale because they are unaware or indifferent to the effect that they have on the people around them.

Invariably they are loved by the customer, which causes the dilemma of whether they should be sacked or developed. Usually the company hires us to work directly with their Troublesome Talent® or their managers.

The maverick business owner

These mavericks are accidental business owners who left a secure corporate job because they were unhappy trying to successfully navigate their way in corporations that could no longer contain them. Mavericks are easily bored and need to be given constant challenges to ensure that they are as productive and engaged as they could be. They tend to come up with innovative solutions and their way of working didn't fit the established corporate norms. So this type of maverick left corporate life to set up their own companies.

Some business owners are mavericks because they are wilfully independent and are ambitious and determined to achieve their goals.

The definition of a maverick is the key to finding the solution to draw out the positive aspects of maverick behaviour from within the maverick or Troublesome Talent® and their teams.

To find out more about mavericks please view our Maverick Mastery site.