I went to U.S. Army basic training at 18 years old, stepping into a completely unfamiliar world. Basic training stripped away every comfort I had known, leaving me in survival mode. My unspoken motto became simple:
It worked—at least for a while.
One of the many military traditions is the idea of being “voluntold”—volunteered, without choice, for a task. Peeling potatoes in the dining facility, mopping barracks floors, carrying out tedious labor with little to no recognition. In these situations, my motto served me well. I kept my head down, pushed through, and waited for the moment to pass.
But then came staff duty—an overnight post where I was stationed in a small room just inside the headquarters building. The job had three main tasks:
The first two? No problem. Stay invisible, stay out of trouble. But the third? That was a different story.
You couldn’t ignore the phone. You had to answer it. And when you answered it, you owned whatever problem was on the other end of the line. By default, you owned the solution.
The metaphor extends far beyond my time in uniform. We all have moments when the phone rings—when disruption enters our lives uninvited.
Many of us choose not to answer:
📞 The doctor sees something concerning in your bloodwork—you pretend everything is fine.
📞 A competitor launches a new product, but you assume you’ll hold onto market share.
📞 Technology begins to automate your work, yet you believe it won’t affect your job.
📞 A family member says something concerning at the dinner table—you ignore it, hoping it will go away.
The truth?
Disruption doesn’t wait for the perfect time. It keeps ringinguntil someone picks up.
At first, picking up that phone was uncomfortable for me.
What if I didn’t know the answer? What if I messed up? What if the problem was too big for me to handle?
But over time, I realized something: Answering the call wasn’t just about solving problems—it was about growth.
And that’s the opportunity disruption presents to all of us.
Growth and comfort do not coexist.
When you embrace disruption—when you answer the call—you step into the version of yourself that is stronger, more resilient, and more prepared for the future.
Disruption is inevitable. The question isn’t whether it will come but whether you’ll answer.
📢 Will you face the challenge or pretend you don’t hear it?
📢 Will you step up or stay in your comfort zone?
📢 Will you own the problem and the solution—or wait for someone else to take responsibility?
The best leaders, the strongest teams, and the most successful organizations don’t shy away from disruption. They lean in. They answer the call.
So next time your phone rings, what will you do?
Your future depends on your answer.
Want to prepare your team to answer the call? My forthcoming book with James Patterson, Disrupt Everything (coming September 29, 2025) will help them lean into disruption instead of resisting it. Bring me in to speak, and I’ll teach them how the best disruptors discern, behave, achieve, and refine—plus, they’ll get advanced copies of the books six months before release.
Contact my speaking agent Michele Lucia to schedule your event to learn more
Make it a great day!
Patrick
#disrupteverything #success #inspiration
