Can you be an agent* of change without allies?
* To make the text easier to read, the words are in the masculine form. Far be it from me to exclude women from the process or from reading this!
Many of you may have seen this video in which Dereck Sivers explains why it takes two people to start a movement. Here, one person dares to dance and looks a little strange. People laugh. Then someone else steps forward and dances. The crowd follows and gradually joins in with the dancers.
It’s an inspiring call to “take the plunge” when you want to do something. It also reminds us of how a movement works. As agents of change, we are ALWAYS faced with resistance. But studies show that it only takes 20% of motivated people to shift the direction of a group.
That said, one question remains: Where do we start? Do agents of change become true agents of change through external recognition or by recognizing themselves as such? Do we first need allies to become agents of change?
The Power of “Otherness” to Shape Your Identity
The philosopher Hegel argued that a person can only gain an objective awareness of their own worth through their relationships with others. Such a position would explain the shift in group dynamics mentioned earlier. The person who started the dance went from being an idiot to a star, thanks to the reactions of the others.
“A person is human only to the extent that he seeks to assert himself over another person and to be recognized by that person. At first glance, as long as he has not yet been effectively recognized by the other, it is this other who is the goal of his action; it is on this other—on recognition by this other—that his human value and reality depend; it is in this other that the meaning of his life is concentrated. He is therefore outside of himself.” Alexandre Kojève, Introduction to the Reading of Hegel.
How powerful—and dangerous—our relationships with others can be! In their eyes, we seek the recognition we desire for ourselves. If they offer it to us, so much the better. But if they don’t, what happens? Who is right? Can self-awareness be sufficient in and of itself? Does external perception alienate us? Must we fight to the death to shape our own identity? How can we free ourselves harmoniously?
In accordance with Descartes’ statement,“I think, therefore I am,” our consciousness alone provides proof of our existence. In this sense, one might think that simply seeing oneself as an agent of change is enough to be one. Holding such a conviction can indeed give you the strength to dare to act while trusting that allies will join you. It also helps you understand that the laughter and skepticism of some observers are, in a way, proof of your disruptive power! You’re challenging the norm by calling for change!
The Power of “Otherness” to Boost Your Impact
I believe that these two positions, which at first glance seem contradictory, are in fact complementary. Our initial intention to bring about change—even if it may be vague and uncertain—gives us the power to act as agents of change. Our determination, passion, and action then enable us to attract allies, reinforce our intuitions, and spark a movement.
That said, what else can we do with the help of others? First of all, let’s start by clarifying that there is a difference between detractors, allies, and those who are simply passive participants.
According to the Larousse dictionary, "an ally is a person or group that provides help and support. It is also a country with which one is united by a treaty."
At a press conference in 2008, Barack Obama explained why he chose to have Hillary Clinton on his team (translated by Deepl):
"I put this team together because I firmly believe in strong personalities and strong opinions. I think that's how the best decisions are made. The danger in the White House is ending up in a group where everyone agrees on everything. So I’m going to encourage vigorous debate in the White House. Understand that I will set policy as president; I am responsible for the vision this team embodies, and I expect them to carry out that vision once decisions are made.”
Contributions from our allies will most likely provide a variety of friendly and constructive perspectives to help a project move forward. With their help, we can identify its shortcomings and enrich it with new ideas to strengthen our vision and roadmap.
“If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, let’s go together.”
This proverb has been quoted a lot around here lately. I still have mixed feelings about it.
I love collaborating. I wouldn’t have been able to develop so many projects if I’d worked alone. The results would also be less comprehensive, high-quality, creative, or even practical without the wonderful members of my team. Since my goal is to embed the principles of purpose and sustainability at the heart of businesses, I absolutely need all stakeholders to be committed.
However, I realize that I’m often frustrated by the time it takes to explain, persuade, and wait patiently for certain people to embrace the change that’s underway. This raises the question: Should we scale back our ambitions, delay initiatives, and focus on internal lobbying to convince everyone first? Should we first help people discover their own motivations for action? Should we act as challengers by creating disruption?
I can't really choose just one approach, so I decided to make room and time for all of them, in line with my talents and my ecosystem. I've spent a lot of time experimenting with different ways to do this. It would take too long to explain them all today.
We can conclude that, to become an agent of change, we must first trust ourselves. We need to dare to take the plunge and risk looking like a fool or a threat. Then it will be easier to invite others to help create a movement that will become self-evident!
THE PATH TO CHANGE
THE TOOL
Think of two change-makers whom you respect and admire
What do they have in common that inspires you?
What does this reveal about your (hidden) hopes for yourself and your life?
If you were as free as a bird, what kind of agent of change would you be?
What is the first small step you can take in that direction today?
Who can help you stay confident and take responsibility for such an action?
THE MANTRA
"Liveyour passion and share your dream"
IT'S YOUR TURN!
Are you ready to position yourself as an agent of change? I challenge you to answer the questions, dare to acknowledge your inner truth, and then share your thoughts with me!
Do you want to become the leader you envision for the world you hope to see? Is it time to discover and assert your leadership? Do you want to embed the concepts of positive impact and purpose at the heart of your organization? Is the challenge to accelerate engagement within your ecosystem to drive systemic change?
If your answer is yes and you’d like some guidance along the way, please contact me! Here’s a link to schedule a exploratory session and the form to further explore your goals and challenges.
