How Are You Creating Lasting Impact?
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During my travels, I’ve been struck by the idea of lasting impact: ideas and things that last beyond your tenure, your lifetime. It’s fair to say that I’m entering that stage of life where my mind is turning to that question, so perhaps my radar is particularly ‘on’ in that regard!
Here are three examples of lasting impact:
Lasting Buildings
On the outskirts of Santa Teresa Gallura, in the north of Sardinia, Italy, lie the remains of a Bronze Age village. It’s about 3,500 years old. When I say ‘remains’, I’m not talking about a few stones scattered around. There are whole buildings scattered around, constructed in the dry-stone wall manner. Dry-stone walling is a technique that relies on well-placed stones and does not use mortar. Mortar can crack as the climate changes, whereas dry-stone walls just stay as they are over centuries and millenia. That’s lasting impact.
Lasting Design
In the heart of London lies the RSA: The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. On the ground floor is an impressive list of names: the ‘Royal Designers for Industry’ (RDI’s). Royal Designers are responsible for designing the world around us, enriching our cultural heritage, driving innovation, inspiring creativity in others and improving our quality of life. The RDI is the highest accolade for designers in the UK. Only 200 people can hold the title. Royal Designers include some familiar names: Dame Vivienne Westwood (Fashion Design), Geoffrey de Havilland (Aircraft), and Jonny Ive (iPhone). Standing in the lobby, I craned my neck to read through the huge list. I reflected that these people have all contributed something to society well beyond their immediate networks and time in the spotlight. That’s lasting impact.
Lasting Service
Closer to home, I visited my old childhood stomping ground of Dunsborough, in the southwest of Western Australia. Along the waterfront, there’s a prominent building that houses the Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue service. This was set up by my dad back in 1982, when, as a passionate fisherman and being relatively new to the area, he saw a need for safety at sea that wasn’t being met. After small beginnings, it’s still going strong 43 years later, staffed by volunteers and providing an invaluable service to the 1000’s of boaties who get out in the ocean there all year round. That’s lasting impact.
Why Lasting Impact Matters
The idea of creating lasting impact flies in the face of our modern western culture where change is constant and time is precious. It’s so easy to operate in reactive mode, constantly dealing with the next fire or crisis that pops up. When we’re in reactive mode, we get really good at making bad things go away. And the cost is that we never get to focus on creating something that lasts and truly makes a difference over the longer term.
Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be turning my attention to what it takes to lead lasting impact. I’ll be offering services to senior leaders like you to help you lift their heads up and focus more on what truly matters over the long term, and to support you to develop the skillsets, mindsets and networks that create lasting impact.
For now, ask yourself:
What impact do I want to create that lasts well beyond my tenure?
What one thing can I do today that can contribute to that, even in a small way?
Go well.
Digby