To be or not to be: that is the question (for changemakers)
In my last article, I explored how people influence our ability to become change-makers and to launch movements. It turns out that if it takes “two to tango,” you’d better be bold enough to take the first step. That said, a few questions remain. How should we make the first move? In which direction? Are all change strategies created equal?
To bring about a systemic shift, one might wonder whether it is wiser to implement a single action on a massive scale; to sow several seeds at the same time; to deconstruct the system; or to remove oneself from it. I have often wondered what would generate the greatest momentum:
Focusing on specific scalable, industrialized initiatives?
Toning down ambitions with quick wins to please potential allies first?
Do you plan to act as a “lone wolf” when launching new initiatives, until others join you?
Escaping the crowd and building an ecosystem from scratch?
All strategies differ, and each has its own advantages, disadvantages, and unique characteristics. Still, one principle may help classify them into two main categories of options: deciding whether to [act like a] bee or not to be a bee.
The Bees: Attributes and Limits of Change Makers
Bees may seem both scary because of their sting and fragile because of their size and short lifespan. Today, these insects are disappearing, and few people realize the tremendous consequences this has for humanity—beyond the lack of honey and its rising market prices.
Bees actually play a much more important role in life on Earth. Consider the following, for example:
Flora: Beyond soil, water, and sunshine, the vast majority of plants depend on cross-pollination to grow. Guess who is one of the main pollinators? Bees!
Life cycle: At least 20 species of birds, spiders, and insects rely on bees for food.
Food chain: Bees pollinate billions of plants each year. In fact, pollinators such as bees play a key role in 35% of the world's food crops.
Economy: “The economic value of global crops that directly depend on pollinators, including bees, is estimated to be between US$235 billion and US$577 billion a year,” according to the FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
You may wonder how that relates to changemakers and change-making strategies… Well, just like bees, changemakers may seem small, insignificant, or even scary to other members of their ecosystems. Yet they are vital for the ecosystem to survive and thrive.
The Bees' Changemakers Strategy
Bees also perfectly illustrate key principles of change management. Here are four key ones:
1. Change starts from within:
To build momentum, it is necessary to start change from the inside out and lead by example. During the first few days of their lives, bees clean the interior of the hive and then feed the larvae hatched from the queen’s eggs. After that, they produce wax and take up positions at the hive’s entrance to defend it. Finally, for the rest of their lives, they pollinate flowers in the outside world.
2. Change is gradual and comprehensive:
Working hard and steadily, across multiple dimensions, is crucial when striving for global impact. Bees are well known for their tireless determination and constant work in the hives and through pollination. They move from flower to flower, pollinating one after another. They create synergies among all plants through the pollen they transport. They “connect the dots” in an incredible and, each time, unique way. While each act may seem insignificant on its own, it affects the lives of thousands upon thousands of species.
3. Change resulting from individual and collective actions:
Leveraging your talents while seeking out complementary skills within your community will nurture your ecosystem. We often think of ants when it comes to structured teamwork. Yet the bee is another living example of the benefits of group work—both for the community and for the individual. The division of labor occurs naturally and harmoniously. Their wide variety (over 20,000 species) and their ability to fly and explore the world give them a sense of freedom that I somewhat envy.
4. Change is purposeful:
Believing in your higher purpose and enjoying the journey will lead you to success! While the bee is a serious and dedicated worker, she also embodies the joy of discovery, connection, and living in the moment. Above all, it is the satisfaction of a job well done and the joy of devoting oneself to a cause that transcends one’s ordinary limits. In pursuing their mission, bees provide numerous, vital social, environmental, and economic benefits to human life on Earth. Make no mistake: these benefits are the result of their dedication to the greater good.
Do “all roads lead to Rome”?
I’ve been debating A LOT with friends and peers about the initial question: “Which strategy is best for bringing about systemic change for the benefit of the planet?” Given that truth and efficiency are among my core values, questions like these have filled me with uncertainty and fueled my imposter syndrome.
I realized that, without even realizing it, I wanted to reach the end of the journey in order to discover the real answer. Clearly, this would make me unable to offer a solution to those who were still on their journey. I reasoned that life is worth exploring and worth living.
A systemic shift cannot occur with just one solution. I have come to accept the fact that most of the solutions are already known in some form, and that the main obstacle is our tendency to argue rather than to change. As strange as it may seem, I even wonder if it’s really worth trying to determine which strategy for bringing about change is best for achieving a sustainable, harmonious, and nature-centered world.
“Is the grass greener on the other side?”
Rather than revealing dilemmas or limitations, these questions have shaped my approach to being a changemaker. I’ve come to realize that my value lies in bridging theory and action. I embrace my holistic and multidimensional perspective. Rather than being ashamed of this leadership style, I am now willing to act like a bee in an industrialized world. I have neither the courage nor the will (yet) to disconnect myself from my current ecosystem (whether I like it or not).
Still, I don’t buy into the “one-size-fits-all” solution. I like to test and cross-pollinate solutions with other changemakers. I like to recognize the power I see so clearly in others—the engineers, intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs, public servants, doctors, journalists, researchers, and the many other changemakers who surround me. I believe in sowing multiple seeds, depending on the contexts and constraints. I know some will not flourish. I know some will only thrive in a specific environment, while others may thrive anywhere. These realizations have helped me let go of the pressure to determine which change-making strategy is the best. Above all, they have driven my desire to act as a leader, a critical friend, a creator, a writer, a coach, and a facilitator.
Bringing About Change
Rather than pointing out the shortcomings of others’ genuine efforts to bring about positive change, why not work together to prevent changemakers from disappearing?
I have a (quick) challenge for you today. Are you up for it? I invite you to answer these questions and share your thoughts:
To be or not to be?
Are you ready to embrace your own leadership and changemaker style?
Can you share your unique strategies with other changemakers?
Whether privately or on your favorite social media platform, I invite you to tag and recognize one changemaker and his or her contribution today.
Thanks to all the Bees who are showing us the way
Feel free to share how this article resonates with you—I’d love to hear from you. Also, if you’d like support in becoming the leader you want to be for the world you envision, contact me! Here’s a form to help you further explore your ambitions and challenges: English
