Thomas Kuhn’s (1970) concept of paradigm shift has been taught in business school doctoral classes for years because the stated purpose of doctoral programs is to develop scholars so that they can contribute new knowledge. Most dissertation formats have a section for the doctoral candidate to discuss how his or her research extends our current understanding of a field. Yet once the newly minted Ph.D. enters the academic system, there are pressures to publish in mainstream journals and to teach mainstream content and to avoid being “edgy.” Regardless, some intrepid souls manage to keep their focus on following their passion and to pushing the boundaries of their fields. Waddock (2015, 2023) calls them Intellectual Shamans and Transformational Catalysts, Judi Neal calls them Edgewalkers (2006), and Tsao and Laszlo (2019) call them Quantum Leaders. This PDW will focus on these Edgewalkers in academia in a supportive and encouraging way. We will take an appreciative inquiry approach to the workshop, asking participants to share success strategies, breaking down the personal qualities of being they embody as well as the practical and spiritual skills and practices that have helped them stay true to their sense of calling and purpose.
