How Do You Want to Change The World? What Does That Even Mean?
Issue 263 — June 24, 2024
How often do you hear words like “world changer,” “transformational,” or “changemaker?” How often do you use them to describe what you want to do or what you want to see happen?
Ever think about what we really mean when we say those words to describe something that has transpired in our individual lives or in the wider culture? Why do we get a rush of excitement when we think about being a world changer? (At least I know I do! And I meet so many people who say they want to change the world.)
You might have heard the paradoxical comment, “Change is good, you go first.” It’s humorous because it’s so true. We like change, even embrace it, when we’re in control of how that change is happening, when it advances one’s personal vision of how the world should be. But change can be scary and disorienting when it’s happening to us rather than because of our own agency or choices.
On the one hand, we know change is inevitable. It’s a constant force that shapes lives, organizations, nations, and careers in profound ways.
But let’s face it, change is a neutral word. Like you might have heard me say about power, it’s just energy with no characteristics of its own. It becomes meaningful only when we infuse it with purpose. And then that purpose has to be fleshed out with a plan, or else it’s nothing but hot air.
No transformation takes place without purpose and a plan for changemaking. No life is changed without transforming that purpose and plan into action.
Inevitably, profound change generates fear among those for whom the power structure has been most beneficial. Fear generates blowback, sometimes even violent reactions. If you want to be a world changer, you have to be prepared that it won’t necessarily go down easily, no matter how just you believe the cause to be.
I was prompted to consider these questions when I had the pleasure to be interviewed by Catherine Alonzo, whose company Javelina specializes in helping organizations create “meaningful social, political, and economic change.” I was honored to be the first guest for the relaunch of their podcast entitled “How to Change the World.” I share it with you here in full because Catherine is such an excellent interviewer and I loved our conversation so much. You can listen in audio podcast or watch the video version.
Our conversation was far ranging. It gave me an opportunity to talk about how Take The Lead came to be and why, and to crow about how we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary, especially plans for the Power Up Conference and Concert coming up August 25 and 26.
August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, deliberately chosen because our vision of how we want to change the world is to create intersectional gender parity in leadership positions across all sectors, and with that, parity in power and pay for women.
My life has always had the central purpose of women’s equality throughout society. I made the pivot to focusing specifically on leadership parity because I realized we can’t change the world unless we have the power and positions that enable real, transformational change.
To be a changemaker, you have to embrace change. That’s the starting point for any advancement, including in your career or any other transformation you wish to see in the world.
Hurry, before “First Mover” special pricing is gone!
Tell me, how do you want to change the world?
GLORIA FELDT is the Cofounder and President of Take The Lead, a motivational speaker, a global expert in women’s leadership development and DEI for individuals and companies that want to build gender balance. She is a bestselling author of five books, most recently Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take The Lead for (Everyone’s) Good. Honored as Forbes 50 Over 50, and Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she is a frequent media commentator. Learn more at www.gloriafeldt.com and www.taketheleadwomen.com. Find her @GloriaFeldt on all social media.