I’ve had many friends fill out and share my changemaker survey (there’s still time, so you can too), and it’s spurred some interesting discussions (which was largely the point). My friend, Joe Blaylock, shared the survey on his Facebook wall, and in the ensuing discussion, he ended up describing what I do as follows:
Institutions like governments and churches and corporations are created to get work done that individuals alone can’t achieve. Otherwise, why bother with them in the first place? There are lots of times when the quickest way to make things better isn’t to start another (tiny, powerless) organization, but to steer one of these great, ponderous ships to which you have access. If only you can find the wheel. A lot of Eugene’s work is about helping people figure out how to steer.
Trying to describe what I do to others is an ongoing challenge for me. I really love Joe’s metaphor, which feels both accurate and clear. Thanks, Joe!