I read an interesting article in the Dayton Daily News last week about a community volunteer. She has championed numerous causes in Dayton with much success. In the interview she said, "If there is something you are passionate about, find a cadre of like minded people, do your research and find a way to make it happen." This reminded me of one of my favorite articles in organization development, Herbert Shepard's "Rules of Thumb for Change Agents", specifically Rule IV, "Innovation requires a good idea, initiative, and a few friends." Shepard restated this as "Find the people who are ready and able to work, introduce them to one another, and work with them."
There is much wisdom in these words. If you want to make a difference, it is easier to do with others who share your interest. It may be a workplace or organizational issue, a community initiative, or even something much larger. The Internet has changed the landscape for change. Finding others with similar interests has never been easier. All that is needed is the initiative to bring a few people together.
There's a corollary. Perhaps there is an issue of which you are aware and in which you have a casual interest but you do not want to devote your energies in that direction. You can still plant seeds. If you know two or more people who share that concern, you can still introduce them. There is a synergy that can develop from numbers.
So . . . on what would you like to see action? Can you help make that happen? Who shares your concerns? Perhaps it is time to invite someone to coffee or beverage of choice. Make a difference.
Image from Google advanced image search. Free to use. Source: http://frank.itlab.us/photo_essays/wrapper.php?sep_04_2010_bintan_birthday.html
There is much wisdom in these words. If you want to make a difference, it is easier to do with others who share your interest. It may be a workplace or organizational issue, a community initiative, or even something much larger. The Internet has changed the landscape for change. Finding others with similar interests has never been easier. All that is needed is the initiative to bring a few people together.
There's a corollary. Perhaps there is an issue of which you are aware and in which you have a casual interest but you do not want to devote your energies in that direction. You can still plant seeds. If you know two or more people who share that concern, you can still introduce them. There is a synergy that can develop from numbers.
So . . . on what would you like to see action? Can you help make that happen? Who shares your concerns? Perhaps it is time to invite someone to coffee or beverage of choice. Make a difference.
Image from Google advanced image search. Free to use. Source: http://frank.itlab.us/photo_essays/wrapper.php?sep_04_2010_bintan_birthday.html
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