Each of us has an ability to influence things, whether it be in a small way around us, or in a big way that affects the course of history. We all get small moments where our decisions and actions may matter. If we choose to act, change happens. However, frequently, we choose not to, whether out of deference or simple inertia.
I recently had a discussion with a good friend on just this issue. Although we were both broadly in agreement, he, however, said that his process is to evaluate first whether or not his intervention will have an impact. If he feels it won’t, then he does nothing. I guess you can see the flaw in this? Often, we don’t really know if our actions will have an impact. You only see after the fact whether or not change did happen. Inaction, therefore, sounds like a cop-out.
John Maxwell, the leadership expert, has made the point that leadership is not about titles, that often in organisations the leader is not really the person with the title. You have to look elsewhere to discern who the leader is. This is the same about impact. It’s not always, even not necessarily, the titled big people who end up having the big impact. Take the case of Greta Thunberg, for instance. Or Malala Yousafzai. Just kids, but their impact reverberated around the world.
Just like the proverbial wings of the butterfly, your small actions can start a storm.
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