Hey there, fellow changemakers!
Today, I want to delve into a fascinating paradox in the worlds of politics and philanthropy.
It’s a story of how we repeatedly fall for big aspirations, grandiose plans, and transformative solutions, even though they almost always fail to deliver.
Meanwhile, the power of good management, small bets, and iterative approaches – which are very effective – tend to be overlooked.
Let’s explore this dynamic and uncover the keys to effective change-making.
The Seduction of Grandiosity
A few years back, I found myself leading a small funders collaborative focused on improving job training programs.
We advocated for measuring return on investment and created a public dashboard to track outcomes.
It was a fantastic success, helping thousands of people enhance their skills and double their income within months.
But alas, our triumph was short-lived.
Competing initiatives emerged with more aspirational visions, advocating for “total transformation.”
They questioned the value of improving a broken system and chose vagueness (the promise of “an economy that works for everyone”) over tangible outcomes.
Legislators and philanthropists, enticed by the allure of “doing something new,” abandoned our proven approach in pursuit of grandiosity.
Goodbye good management of outcomes.
In my subsequent work consulting for change initiatives around the country, I realized that this phenomenon was not an isolated incident.
As political scientist James Q. Wilson memorably observed (with the example of prison executives, but widely applicable to change initiatives everywhere):
People frequently give the most money and attention to those voicing the best intentions rather than the best accomplishments.
The Allure of Impracticality
Why do people repeatedly gravitate towards the highest, most impractical solutions?
I believe there are three main reasons, each ironically contributing to their ineffectiveness.
- Excitement of the Grandiose: Big aspirations and transformative solutions generate attention and excitement. They grab headlines, mobilize support, and make leaders appear visionary. However, complex social issues require nuanced, adaptive approaches that consider local contexts and community needs. Grandiose plans often overlook these intricacies, leading to bureaucratic hurdles and unachieved outcomes.
- Incentives and the Bandwagon Effect: Politicians and philanthropists face pressure to present bold initiatives that demonstrate commitment and competence. The media and public discourse amplify attention-grabbing initiatives, creating a bandwagon effect. Unfortunately, this undermines the value of measured, incremental progress achieved through good management and small bets. It’s a case of short-term wins overshadowing long-term sustainable change.
- The Boring Factor: Good management, small bets, and iterative solutions often struggle to gain traction. Their disciplined, data-driven approach lacks the flashiness associated with transformative solutions. The immediate impact and visibility of radical change overshadow the slower, steady progress achieved through incremental strategies. Moreover, these effective approaches require long-term commitment, which may clash with short-term interests and priorities.
Unlocking Effective Change-Making
Now that we’ve examined the pitfalls of big aspirations, let’s explore a more effective alternative rooted in antifragility and optionality.
Here are three tips for changemakers who wish to apply these concepts to their initiatives:
- Embrace Small Bets: Rather than going all-in on one transformative solution, take multiple small bets across different areas. This diversifies risk and allows for experimentation and learning. Craft policies that are flexible, adaptable, and can be adjusted based on evidence and feedback.
- Focus on Good Management: Cultivate a culture of disciplined planning, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. Establish feedback loops, monitor outcomes, and be open to course corrections. This approach builds resilience, mitigates risks, and enhances the chances of success.
- Craft Policies for All Conditions: Avoid policies that are overly reliant on specific economic conditions or political climates. Instead, design solutions that work regardless of external factors. This ensures sustainability and reduces vulnerability to unpredictable changes.
Commitment Beyond Buzzwords
Remember, it’s not about chasing the latest buzzwords or pursuing the grandest visions.
Effectiveness is almost always about steady progress, small wins, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
With humility, flexibility, and a dedication to learning from our mistakes, we can move toward the change we envision.
See you next week.
Whenever you’re ready, there are two ways I can help you:
→ I’m a strategic advisor for the toughest societal problems like poverty, crime and homelessness. People come to me when they want to stop spinning their wheels and get transformative, systems-level change.
→ I’m a coach for emerging and executive leaders in the social and public sectors who want to make progress on their biggest goals and challenges.
Let’s find out how I can help you become transformational.
