Create a movement

“A leader can create a company, but a community creates a movement” – Blake Mycoskie 

I was inspired to share this story after having listened to a podcast featuring someone I have worked with for some years. Not unique in itself, but the fact this person joined my team when he had barely turned 16 years old, is a significant milestone not only in his life but in my own life too.

I have an extraordinary passion for seeking out ways to give people the confidence and the opportunities they need to be successful, happy and fulfilled. More often than not, this manifests itself in supporting those early on in their careers or when people hit career blockers. This coupled with my own backstory of being more attuned to learning by experiences rather than taking the traditional academic route has meant that I have been driven to leverage my position of working in HR in order to do good for others.

This initially came to life through the concept of workplace apprenticeships, and while the early experiences I had of these was exciting and interesting, little did I know that the launching of organisational Apprenticeship programmes was to be not once, but twice over massive career highlights, and a legacy I left imprinted on two large organisations. Something which, when I reflect back upon now, makes my heart sing with pride, knowing how many people experienced [and continue to experience] a fantastic start to their career. This type of ambition though, cannot be brought to fruition alone, it takes a tribe of people who too feel the same level of passion… indeed it takes creating a movement to bring to life such large scale organisational projects. However, while in the midst of working on these types of projects, it is not always clear what the bigger sense of purpose really is.

More recently, I stumbled across the concept of Social Artistry. A philosophy that was shared with me by a new connection I made via a mutual friend. I had never heard of Social Artistry before, and for some reason it sparked a curiosity within me. I was encouraged to read into the work of Jean Houston, scholar, Philosopher and researcher in Human Capacities. This research helped me to learn that the idea of Social Artistry is the art of enhancing human capacities in the light of social complexity. It seeks to bring new ways of thinking, being and doing to social challenges in the world.

As I learned more about the principles of Social Artistry, it became clear to me that the idea of working with people to co-create human and social changes in order to make a better world, is in fact what really ‘makes me tick’. Anytime I have a bright idea or come up with a creative solution, it is by working with a community of people in order to bring the idea to life which really lifts me up. I don’t enjoy solitary achievements, joy for me is bringing together groups of people from all walks of life with unique experiences and seeing an idea come to reality. Working in harmony, with mutual respect and a shared purpose, so much so that everyone is in complete flow. Meaningful work can be achieved in this harmonious way, with a greater sense of purpose.

It is this learning that has helped me to see a bit of what I am all about… I think perhaps I am a “Social Artist” enormously passionate about finding ways to support the transformation of people, organisations and industries. Jean describes the skill of a Social Artist as someone who ”seeks innovative solutions to troubling conditions, is a lifelong learner ever hungry for insights, skills, imaginative ideas and a deeper understanding of present day issues” Fundamentally Social Artists “help remove the obstacles that prevent people from being all they can be, thereby enabling them to realise their potential.” And so, with this new found knowledge I feel I have found my tribe… my meaning … my purpose. I am a Social Artist. Anyone else with me?

With this new found identity, when I reflect on some of my proudest life moments, the initiation of apprenticeship programmes being just one of them, I realise what was really driving me was the joy of being a Social Artist. Having an ambitions idea.. creating a movement … brining it to life with a passionate community… and leaving behind an indelable impression, a legacy which helped and inspired others to be the best they could be.

Whether you are someone who desires to create a movement or be part of a movement … it doesn’t matter. Just being connected and part of something bigger than just you is where the joy is at.

DREAM BIG : BELIEVE BIGGER

This blog was inspired by Jack Norris, his incredible achievements and the bright future he has ahead of him. It’s reflecting back over the journey both Jack and I have had in our careers that has helped me to realised the impact we can all have on one another. When you come across someone in your life that truly inspires you and makes you proud, keep hold of them.

You can listen to Jack’s story here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-painfully-average-podcast/id1490155515?i=1000475007353

Thanks also to the work of Jean Houston: http://www.jeanhouston.org/Social-Artistry/social-artistry.html