The Modern Maverick: Why Writing Your Own Rules Is Better for You, Your Business and the World

Imagine designing a race that only you could win. Now imagine that race was your life. You’re done with living by other people’s rules. It’s time to define your own version of success and set free your inner maverick.

Success is something that many of us are encouraged to pursue from a young age - but what defines ’success’? Many people are taught to set goals in pursuit of a generic definition of success that is dictated by society: chase money, pass exams, build profile, attract followers, or generate likes. Even if we do reach the top of the mountain, we often find it to be less than we expected. Living someone else’s life is draining; individuals are tired and society is poorer as a consequence.

The Modern Maverick sets out a roadmap for a different way forward. A way that combines purpose and profit. A way that helps you figure out your own definition of success and gives you the courage and tools to pursue it. It moves beyond a general question around purpose, and instead focuses on identifying what you are truly passionate about, what you are uniquely good at, what you can get paid enough for - and how all of that dovetails with what the world needs.

Using a distilled set of ’Maverick’ principles, the books presents a clear 4D process to help you create the life you want:

1. Discover - what are you uniquely able to do
2. Dream - about what is possible for your life
3. Do - create and put into action your Maverick plan
4. Develop - ensure the plan evolves and deepens

By helping you find the best version of yourself, your work and your relationships, the book shows you how to build your inner Maverick. By becoming clearer and more intentional about how and where you spend your energy and focus, you can create a life where you have positive impact, autonomy, choice and time. A win for you, but - crucially - a win for those close to you, and, over time, a win for society at large.

Ed Haddon is the founder of Haddon Coaching, heading up a team of coaches who specialise in working with founders and their senior teams to build businesses with purpose and positive impact. They also work with those looking to take a more maverick and entrepreneurial approach to life. Haddon Coaching is the first coaching business in the UK to be B-Corp certified. Clients include the maverick founders of companies such as Dishoom, Rapha and Sweaty Betty.

Ed holds a Masters in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University and a Masters in Business Administration (distinction) from Harvard Business School. Along with his coaching and NLP qualifications, he is also trained in Positive Psychology Vision Days. He has written for publications including The Times and the Soho House Magazine and writes a monthly blog. He has featured in Vanity Fair, Grow (The Facebook magazine) and Smallish magazine. Ed is also a founder of the Realisation Festival - creating space and time for the soul for the benefit of society.