Revolutionary ideas need no approval.

Jun 27, 2024

Your vision should at first seem ridiculous.

If it’s not, go bigger.

Because people usually dislike revolutionary ideas when they first hear about them. Like Steve Jobs, who didn’t find a market for the iPad.

No.

He invented the category (amidst tremendous ridicule). Just like light bulbs, bicycles, automobiles, air travel, and personal computers that were once met with doubt.

Think about that.

So nonprofit leaders: don’t accept today’s norms. Center your brand on your vision — the ultimate impact. Then work your theory of change backward, to map out the path up the mountain.

And ignore all the detractors along the way.

Because your team, donors, community, and even board members might not (yet) see how things will be different in your desired future state.

That’s precisely why your messaging and communications are just as critical as your innovative products and programs. Your job as an impact builder (thus, a brand builder!) is to persuade like-minded funders and staff to join your audacious movement.

Your job is to speak vision into existence.
To map the stars, not just the steps.
To dream aloud and lead proud.

Imagine:

🌏 Climate change without Greta’s appearances on late-night TV.
✊🏾 Racial justice without the social media takeover of Black Lives Matter.
🧑🏻‍⚕️ Global health without Paul Farmer’s book Mountains Beyond Mountains.
📚 Girls’ education without Malala Yousafzai’s public speeches in Pakistan.

These social justice activists were storytelling visitors from the future, fearlessly telling us what was coming. Not just focusing on doing the work.

And you can be the same.

Dream.
Defy.
Do.

A vision told is a vision bold.

“Visionaries will always meet opposition from weak minds, but the seeds they plant always save the world.” — Bangambiki Habyarimana

💪🏽💛