It’s been over a month since I posted and for good reason. I’ve been touring the country looking for the best ideas across our nation and interviewing these experts to create national strategies. Why? In short, it’s because I believe there is value in bringing people together, listening to multiple opinions, and engaging in conversation that focuses on solutions more than problems.
We need politicians because lawmaking is tough business that requires significant amounts of energy and stamina to argue until a bill is passed. We need activists because they give a voice to those who aren’t being heard. Nonetheless, these two groups, on their own, are insufficient for long term change because they aren’t focused on the third component needed: a pathway and plan for achieving the goals they both set. This is why we need problem solvers. This is why we need a third community that complements the work of the first two. This is why politics must also involve innovators.
How do we connect better? How do we start this conversation? How do we demonstrate value-added? We work together. We create a community of designers, innovators, thought leaders – and come together in a way that helps aid progress in our nation.
Let’s get more concrete. We need to create a virtual space where solution-oriented thinkers can work together bringing ideas, knowledge, experience, connections, influencers, and supporters who can generate idea abundance, curate information, and have the community influence to drive action.
But as my professor used to always say to me…”JJ, it doesn’t matter what you start, it only matters what you finish.” We cannot only discuss ideas, we must also carry them out. Action matters.
Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash