Insights
The latest research insights and observations from the frontlines of ecosystem building for social change. A one-person think-tank.
Value: Redefined
Have you ever had a question buried so ferociously in the back of your mind that you couldn’t shake it? A voice that piped up every time you came to a crossroads in your personal or professional life? A sense of this-is-not-how-it’s-supposed-to-be that has sunk its claws so deeply into your psyche that you can’t […]
Complexity as a mindset
My phone rings on a Thursday morning. “Why is ecosystem building so addictive?” It’s my friend Larkin, community builder and small business advocate extraordinaire. I know how she feels. I’ve been giddy and restless since we returned from an ecosystem building event in Irvington, VA, the day before. My mind is buzzing with excitement over […]
Martyr in recovery
Most afternoons in the last year, I emerged from my home office at 4.30 p.m. completely and utterly exhausted. Spent. Empty. On the really tough days, the five-minute walk to my daughter’s daycare was unthinkable. I couldn’t possibly put one foot in front of the other and repeat that action 500 times each way. Inconceivable. […]
The Purpose Gap
I remember this moment very clearly: I was eleven years old and sitting in the middle of the bus on my way home from school. I could feel the slow drip of ink on my hair and then scalp. I didn’t dare look back, react, or – heaven forbid – turn around and slap the […]
#7 Start. Be patient.
This article belongs to the 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101. The entire series is developed in Fireside Chats with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders around the world. The resource guide is no longer available. Sign up for Impact Curator to never miss another resource. In an infinite game, (it) is the game that lives on and it is the players whose time […]
Clarity & Focus
When I graduated from my East German high school, it seemed everyone knew their destiny – bank apprenticeship, tourism degree, communications. After over a decade of schooling, I had no idea why I was in this world and what I would do with my one wild and precious life. After traveling and volunteering far away […]
#6 Tell Authentic stories 2/2
This article is a 2-piece exploration of Ecosystem Building principle #6 Tell your community’s authentic story and belongs to the 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101. The entire series is developed in Fireside Chats with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders around the world. This resource guide is no longer available. Sign up for Impact Curator to never miss another resource: Storytelling in practice Jeff Bennett: […]
#6 Tell Authentic Stories 1/2
This article is a 2-piece exploration of Ecosystem Building principle #6 Tell your community’s authentic story and belongs to the 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101. The entire series is developed in Fireside Chats with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders around the world. This resource guide is no longer available. Sign up for Impact Curator to never miss another resource: The question is which stories […]
#5 Connect People (2/2)
This article is a 2-piece exploration of Ecosystem Building principle #5 Connect People Bottom-Up, Top-down, Inside-Out etc. and belongs to the 7-part series Ecosystem Building 101. The entire series is developed in Fireside Chats with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders around the world. This resource guide is no longer available. Sign up for Impact Curator to never miss another resource. Field insight […]