Big, bold initiatives that tackle some of society’s wickedest problems are called Grand Challenges. Successful Grand Challenges rely on several elements, the most impactful being a large and diverse network of allies – an ecosystem. The key to leading a large-scale change initiative is the ability to align players from multiple dimensions simultaneously around a […]
Activating an Ecosystem for Grand Challenge Success Read More »
Our new dog, Kaya, is a timid soul. She experienced some sort of trauma before we rescued her and does not display any form of aggression toward people. I have seen her sit on our living room couch and watch calmly as strangers entered our home. But, fireworks and thunder are another story. To those
Many elements are involved in tackling Grand Challenges – big, bold initiatives that take on some of the wickedest problems that society is facing. In my work on Grand Challenges and significant change initiatives, I draw on several models (both my own and those developed by others). To help organize each of those critical elements,
Grand Challenge Upward Spiral Read More »
My wife and I walked with our dog, Kaya, in one of the city parks here in Bethesda, Maryland, when we had a chance to see two deer eating close to the trail. They were obviously used to people as they took a moment to look directly at us and then kept feeding on the
In 2001, a research team led by Dr. Christina Economos studied four movements that created a flip in societal thinking: Breastfeeding Smoking Cessation Seat Belt Use Recycling Through that research, the team identified 10 Key Elements to Creating a Social Movement – critical to the success of any Grand Challenge or internal change work. I’ve
Implement the Plan Read More »
Yesterday was America’s Juneteenth and today we have a federal holiday that allows every employed American to take a day from work to consider what this holiday is all about. On June 19, 1865, some two months after Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., those in Galveston, Texas were informed that enslaved
In the last two issues of Visionary Talk, we’ve explored the 10 Key Elements to Creating a Social Movement. The elements were identified in 2001 by a research team led by Dr. Christina Economos. The team studied four major social movements that created a 180-degree flip in societal thinking: Breastfeeding Smoking Cessation Seat Belt
A few weeks ago while visiting my son for his commencement ceremony in Amherst, Massachusetts, my daughter, Ruchi, and I decided to go vegan. I made a big switch a couple of years ago after watching the movie, GameChangers (which I recommend – it focuses on world-class athletes who are vegan). I stopped eating beef,
One Step at a Time Read More »
In the picture to the left I am dancing with my daughter, Ruchi, at a wedding we attended Saturday. The weather could not have been better, and the company was grand. It was the wedding of a very close friend who is about 25 years younger than me. I was glad to be able to
Celebrating Relationships Read More »
When trying to institute systemic change – organizational or nationwide – it’s easy to feel like it’s impossible. It’s challenging to change the way an entire group thinks or behaves, especially when being attacked by multiple dimensions simultaneously. Creating change through compliance is equally tricky. People are passionate about their freedoms and are good at
Real Change Relies on Social Movements Read More »
