Change Makers: Finding hope in the motivated minority
Significant transformations are often sparked by energy of the dedicated few
Originally posted Nov. 2024
I’m kicking off one of my most exciting projects of the year - partnering with change catalysts in a growing biotech company to re-think their ways of working using agile methodologies. These leaders, representing every corner of the business, see an opportunity to create a competitive advantage for their organization by supercharging how they approach collaboration and innovation.
As I reflect on the disappointing US election results, I find myself returning to the Agile principles that transformed my own career path six years ago. One principle particularly resonates:
#5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.
This principle reminds me that transformative change can happen at any level of an organization or country, and often begins with a small, passionate group. The suffragettes, civil rights activists, and LGBTQ+ advocates never held congressional majorities or enjoyed consistent support from the Presidency. Yet, through persistence and conviction, they shifted national consciousness and reformed institutions.
This classic video of a lone dancer at a music festival who gradually inspires an entire hillside of people to join him illustrates how movements begin: with one passionate individual whose energy becomes contagious.
Change makers share common traits:
They see possibilities others haven’t yet imagined
They embrace uncertainty while maintaining clear vision
They take action before having all the answers
They boldly challenge conventional wisdom
For those feeling discouraged by recent events, consider:
1. Where can you find or create your own coalition of the motivated?
2. What small experiments could test your vision for change?
3. How might you support and enable other change makers in your community?
While the larger context may feel overwhelming, remember that significant transformations often start with a dedicated few. My commitment is in supporting these catalysts with the tools, mindsets, and connections they need to succeed.
What motivated minority are you part of, and how can you amplify its impact?
Interested in re-thinking your organization's approach to collaboration but don't know where to start? Reach out for a connection call!
Joy beyond the sugar rush
Speaking of amplifying impact, I found myself thinking about different forms of positive influence this Halloween. While channeling Joy from "Inside Out" as my costume choice, I watched my bigger kids sprint between houses to maximize their candy haul. This got me thinking about more sustainable sources of joy. This fascinating TED talk offers a visually appealing look at life’s universal joys. Worth a watch!
"The sharply divided, politically polarized world we live in sometimes has the effect of maKing our differences feel so vast as to be insurmountable and yet underneath it all, there's a part of each of us that finds joy in the same things.... it reminds us of the shared humanity we find in the common experience of the physical world" - Ingred Fetell Lee
Wisdom from David Brooks
And while we're exploring how emotions guide us, here's a decision-making hack from David Brooks' talk at the Aspen Ideas Festival: When torn between two options, flip a coin - but don't follow the coin's verdict. Instead, notice your emotional reaction to the result. That gut response often reveals what you truly wanted all along. Read more of his practical insights here.
