Change

Chapter 9Broad Social Initiatives That Can Help Billions

There is another, even broader, consequence to more rapid and complex change. In addition to the need for almost all organizations to adapt, adjust, accelerate, and get ahead of the curve, we collectively face perils and have wonderful possibilities that transcend what any single enterprise can handle. The perils include climate disasters, unexpected pandemics, man made chemical/biological/nuclear vehicles of mass destruction, and systemic racism. The possibilities include all sorts of improvements in public health, from the elimination of deadly diseases to the easing of suffering at a massive level.

Avoiding the perils and taking advantage of the opportunities requires action from many individuals who are not necessarily part of any unified organization. Fighting diseases, eliminating poverty, addressing political movements—these all require challenging the status quo and mobilizing significant support from a diverse groundswell of individuals and organizations.

We tend to think of all these efforts as social causes that have little in common with corporate strategy exercises, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, and the other topics discussed in this book. But while there are some differences in the details, these causes face many of the same potential pitfalls as corporate change and can benefit from many of the same solutions.

Ultimately, it is all about our ability to lead change in a complex and increasingly ...