To be or not to be [a bee]: that is the question for the women* driving change
* To make it easier to read, the words are in the feminine form this time. Far be it from me to exclude men… quite the contrary!
My last article focused on how others can influence us to become agents of change and launch movements. It turns out that while it takes “two to tango,” it’s best to take the first step. That said, a few questions remain. How do you get started? In which direction? Are all strategies for change equally effective?
To bring about systemic change, I have often wondered what would have the greatest impact:
Focus on the theory and the vision, and let others take it from there?
Create initiatives that are easily replicable and “scalable”?
Focus on “quick wins” to win over potential allies?
Should we act like a lone wolf, launching initiatives until others join us?
Escape the crowds and create an ecosystem from scratch?
All strategies are different. Each has its own advantages, disadvantages, and unique characteristics. Nevertheless, one principle can help classify them into two broad categories of options: whether or not to act like a bee [“To bee or not not bee”].
The Added Value of “Bees as Agents of Change”
Bees may seem both frightening because of their stingers and fragile because of their size and short lifespan. Today, these insects are endangered, and few people grasp the far-reaching consequences this has for humanity—other than the shortage of honey and its rising market price.
In fact, bees play a much more important role in life on Earth. Here are a few examples:
Flora: Beyond soil, water, and sunlight, the vast majority of plants depend on cross-pollination to thrive. Guess who one of the main pollinators is? Bees! They pollinate billions of plants every year.
Life cycle: At least 20 species of birds, spiders, and insects rely on bees for food.
Food Chain: Pollinators such as bees play a key role in 35% of the world's food crops.
Economy: "The value of global crops that depend directly on pollinators is estimated at between $235 billion and $577 billion per year," according to the FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
You might be wondering what this has to do with change agents and their strategies...
Just like bees, agents of change may seem small, insignificant, or even frightening to other members of their ecosystem. Yet they are essential to the survival and development of that very ecosystem.
The "Bees as Agents of Change" Strategy
Bees are a perfect illustration of the principles of change management. Here are the four main ones:
1. Change starts with yourself:
To create momentum, it is necessary to initiate change from within and lead by example. During the first few days of their lives, bees clean the inside of the hive, then feed the larvae hatched from the queen’s eggs. Next, they produce wax and take up positions at the hive’s entrance to defend it. Finally, until the end of their lives, they pollinate flowers in the outside world.
2. Change is gradual and holistic:
Working hard and steadily, across multiple dimensions, is crucial when aiming for a global impact. Bees are well known for their tireless determination and constant work in the hive and through pollination. They move from flower to flower, pollinating them one after another. They create synergies among all plants through the pollen they carry. Bees create invisible connections in incredible and, each time, unique ways. While each individual action may seem insignificant on its own, it affects the lives of thousands upon thousands of species.
3. Change results from individual and collective actions:
By making the most of our talents while seeking out complementary strengths within our community, we nurture our ecosystem. We often think of ants when it comes to teamwork. Yet the honeybee is another vivid example of the benefits of working together, both for the community and for the bees themselves. The division of labor occurs naturally and harmoniously. Their great diversity (more than 20,000 species) and their ability to fly and explore the world give them a sense of freedom that I greatly envy.
4. Change has a purpose:
Believing in our mission and finding joy along the way paves the way to success! While the bee is a hardworking and dedicated creature, it also embodies the joy of discovery, connection, and embracing the here and now. The bee embodies the satisfaction of a job well done and the joy of dedicating oneself to a cause that transcends its own limits. Bees provide numerous and crucial social, environmental, and economic benefits to human life on Earth. Let’s not be mistaken: these benefits are the result of their dedication to their mission.
Is it true that "all roads lead to Rome"?
I had many discussions with my friends and peers about the initial question: “What is the best strategy for bringing about systemic change for the good of the planet?” Since truth and effectiveness are among my core values, I felt, each time, a great deal of uncertainty and imposter syndrome.
After a while, I realized that I subconsciously wanted to reach the end of the journey to discover the true answer. Obviously, that would make me unable to offer a solution to those who are still on their way. So, I decided to take a chance and believe that life is simply worth experiencing and living, with all its mistakes and successes.
As strange as it may seem, I even wonder if it’s really useful to assess which change strategy is best for achieving a sustainable, harmonious, and nature-centered world. It’s impossible to bring about systemic change with a single solution. I agreed to reframe the issue. Ultimately, the challenge is to accept that most solutions are, in a sense, already known, and that the main obstacle is our tendency to resist and debate rather than to change.
"Is the grass greener on the other side?"
Rather than revealing dilemmas or limitations, these questions have shed light on how I can be an agent of change. Rather than trying to be someone other than who I am and feeling ashamed of this style of leadership, I am now ready to act like a bee in an industrialized world. I’ve come to understand that my value lies in reconciling diverse worlds—theory and action, intuition and reason. I have decided to have confidence in my holistic and multidimensional approach. For now, I have neither the courage nor the will to disconnect from our current system, whether I like it or not. Yet I do not subscribe to the status quo, nor to the rational logic of one-size-fits-all solutions. I believe in harmonious transformation from within.
I enjoy testing and cross-pollinating solutions with other change-makers. I enjoy highlighting the power I see so clearly in others—engineers, intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs, civil servants, doctors, journalists, researchers, volunteers, and the many other change-makers around me.
I believe we need to plant several seeds, depending on the circumstances and constraints. I know that some won’t bloom. I know that some will only thrive in certain environments, while others can flourish anywhere. These realizations have allowed me to ease the pressure I put on myself regarding the best strategy for change. But above all, they have fueled my desire to act as a leader, artist, advocate, critical friend, coach, and facilitator.
Drive Change
Rather than pointing out the flaws in others’ sincere efforts to bring about positive change, why not work together to prevent the disappearance of these agents of change?
I have a (quick) challenge for you today. Are you ready to join me? I invite you to answer and respond to these questions:
What kind of bee do you want to be?
Are you ready to embody your own style of leadership and change?
Can you share your unique strategies with other change-makers?
If so, whether privately or on your favorite social media platform, I invite you today to highlight and celebrate an agent of change and their contribution.
Thank you …
To all the bees that show us the way!
Please feel free to share your feedback on this article.
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.
