Where do you go to practice your craft? Is it accessible to encourage the development of fundamental skills and provide the opportunity to try new progressions? If we are encouraged to do this for a new hobby, why not have a similar setup for the places we serve? Where are the training grounds for board members and volunteers? Where can we gather to practice, learn new skills, and attempt innovation?
Despite a simple design, the package label was affixed to the box in the wrong corner. The parcel arrived and no delays were encountered. However, the designers must wonder what they need to do to achieve a higher level of compliance.
What systems have we established that appear straightforward and yet the plurality of users fail to follow the instructions? What works but not as designed? Is it worth redesigning or living with individuals struggling to follow the instructions? How many people wander down the ‘do not enter’ entrance, take photos of the protected artwork, reply to unmonitored email addresses, make contributions without designating their intentions, or ask questions before the Q&A session? Nothing was broken but the system grinds a little louder.
If we proceed at river speed, our ability to navigate is minimal. If we paddle faster or slower (against the current), our ability to make significant maneuvers is greatly increased. Go for the ride when you can, it nice to be swept along by the current. However, if we need to take action or move across the river body, then adding power may be the most effective way to navigate.
How might we toggle between the river current and paddling with power in our own work?
Are your innovations changing the sector you serve? Have accreditation agencies reviewed your work and considered new rules to counter your progress? Are people who share your vision and passion seeking you out for insights? Is there awe and fear for those invested in the status quo?
If we are innovating, we might need to work beyond the existing structure and guidelines accepted by our sector. If we are improving, we might be working within the current guidelines but building a more efficient and impactful version.
How far might your organization be willing to reach to improve or innovate? What is too far and why?
Larry Page stated he would rather donate his estate to Elon Musk than a charity, triggering a compelling conversation. Just ‘doing good’ is not sufficient to be a beneficiary of other people’s treasure. Our work in the social sector is being measured against the progress of innovators and impact of entrepreneurs. We can claim to inspire but do our aspirations result in transformation?
If you we are asked to present our work in a show-case showdown against other enterprises in our community and region would we be able to articulate our niche. Would the investors on Shark Tank fund our project?
I do not suggest that we turn to business metric in mass. Permission to pause and preserve the landscape that serves as our backdrop is critical, even when its existence is hard to quantify. We select arduous journeys and attempt to scale peaks that are compelling because it alters something inside of us. As extreme athlete and runner Kilian Jornet said, ‘A summit is a memory. It is an emotion stored within us.’ The summits I have occupied in my life continue to echo. The more challenging the climb, the closer the memory (even if I laid on my stomach to look over the precipice).
What-if-concepts 