The Design Summit is the second major event in every Grand Challenge. Unlike the Design Studio – which galvanizes leadership and precedes it – the focus of the Design Summit is to launch the movement that will carry your Grand Challenge forward. There are three primary agendas in the Design Summit: Establish the context Launch […]
The Design Summit: Moving Grand Challenges Forward Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
Creating a social movement is critical to the success of a Grand Challenge and other change initiatives. In previous issues of Visionary Talk, we’ve explored the 10 Key Elements of Creating a Social Movement, as identified by a research team led by Dr. Christina Economos. Click here to learn more about Dr. Economos’s work studying
Frame and Build the Case 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 »
I’ve had the good fortune to work on five Grand Challenges – big, bold issues that attack socially intractable problems by bringing together alliances of organizations and activists. Today, I share with you a framework that has been extremely important in the success of these Grand Challenges. Based on the work of Dr. Christina
Creating a Social Movement: 10 Key Elements Read More »
It’s my pleasure to bring you this issue of Visionary Talk. Here, I document what I’m learning as I work with clients to address Grand Challenge – big, bold initiatives that take on some of the wickedest problems that society is facing. I work with organizations that have chosen to become the backbone organization of
Grand Challenge Learning with Seth Kahan Read More »
I’ve worked with some of the most esteemed organizations globally, helping to address their strategy and innovation issues. Increasingly my work has been focused on Grand Challenges – socially intractable issues, systemic in nature, mind-numbingly complex, and often requiring labor-intensive solutions. We must understand what works when addressing these complex issues like the pandemic, supply
Grand Challenges Ahead Read More »
