Jump or Dive
Nothing will be the same. Having worked on affordable housing, food, energy, climate, and water issues I'm used to moments of stasis and change. With ingrained systems, any evolution tends to happen slowly. Even after a shock, like a global pandemic, there can be a strong pull back to the previous state after it has subsided. Other changes can be more profound, an unexpected death in the family, a sudden relocation, or the advent of a new technology, after which nothing is the same. A trajectory has been inflected. Following up on my previous post, here are several other strategies that I'm trying to keep in mind as I navigate our current "new normal," wondering if it's going to be a painful detour, or an enduring new operating system.
- Shift Intentionally: My colleagues in the philanthropy sector have been in a state of urgent unknowing in the face of a previously unimaginable situation. While there is a strong and very understandable urge to rescue and respond, doing so without considering the still emerging larger picture could compound and help solidify the current dynamics.
- Reconsider Strategies: Apple's advertising used to tout "think different." Shifting from legacy paths and tools is easier said than done. The first step is acknowledging their limitations, which can be the most difficult part especially for people long invested in and deeply knowledgeable about them. Considering and learning new methods brings its own challenges.
- Shine a Light: When a rumor surfaced that Amazon was going to indicate the amount tariffs were adding to the cost of an item, there was a swift, aggressive effort to stop it. While not the entire answer, visibility can be the beginning of a more potent response.
Part 3 next week.
