Principled Innovation LLC

Will

July 9th, 2008

Will, the verb, is an amazing word that precedes many of life’s biggest moments.

Will I get the job?  Will she call me?  Will he say yes?

Will opens to the door to the possible, creating both excitement and uncertainty.

What will come next?  How will we do it differently?  What will happen if we fail?

It’s important to remember, however, that will isn’t only a verb.  It is also a noun that, depending on which definition you choose, conveys both determination and volition.

We will get this done.  We have the will to see it through.

It is on this last use of will that I invite all association leaders to reflect, both personally and on behalf of their organizations.  With revolution changing our world in profound and irrevocable ways…

…will we ask difficult questions that defy straightforward answers?

…will we make hard choices even when they are unpopular?

…will we innovate knowing that it can be messy?

To put it another way:

Do we have the will, as stewards of our enterprises, to do what needs to be done? 

Do we have the will to imagine and create organizations capable of being successful in the 21st century?

Or do we lack the will?

We are long overdue to have this conversation in the association community.  It begins today.

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