The 12 Tenets of Impact
A bit from my manifest as a first-time founder. May it help someone starting an ambitious project.
orig. December 2016
Be driven by values. Look for the goodness in others, and be consistent.
There's always a reason not to do something. That's where most of us end up. If you want to bring about change, you have to do something. Get in there.
The "experts" won't save you. And neither will your own brilliant ideas. It's all about the question you ask, and where you look: The further you are from the people most impacted, the less likely you are to get the right answer.
There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. Be able to see those moments, and seize those opportunities. It'll be in these moments when maximum social change is possible.
There are always people within a system who have the right answer, are working towards it, and face unreasonable, often arbitrary resistance. Figure out how to identify those people, and shift power in their direction.
Your truth is important and you should fight for it, but it’s not the only truth. Others have experiences that are also valid, and your job isn't to deny that. If you're just focused on attacking the truths of others, you will wear yourself down, and others.
Figure out how to compliment those who are working towards similar goals. Just because your tactics or strategy is different, does not mean that you don't both have a critical role. You are not going to win by spending all your time fighting your allies. Even when they appear to be fighting you, they may actually be helping to expand what is possible, and assisting you in achieving your own goals. So swallow your pride.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do is create space for voices who are often unheard, and do your part to help make sure they have that space. They will take it from there, and you will shift the paradigm.
Foster creativity and openness. Don't think of all the reasons why something won't work. Think about what can work and start there. Be for something.
Systems tend to funnel power and influence to the top--if you can fight that movement, and keep power closer to those most impacted, you're more likely to make lasting change.
** Expose your ideas & values early and publicly. This will vet your beliefs and increase likelihood you keep these values - the only thing people scrutinize more than values are abandoned proclamations"