Principled Innovation LLC

The generative work of transformation

September 22nd, 2010

“That’s more work.”

It may come as a surprise, but this is the most common objection I hear in response to my strategies for building 21st century associations.  Now, I know my association colleagues do not raise this concern because they are unwilling to do more work to create the future, but because they are already working so hard just to keep their associations going today.  The real question we have to ask, therefore, is what kind of work makes working more worth it.

Right now, most association leaders view the work of optimizing the status quo as the best use of their limited time, attention and energy resources.  This perspective is understandable, considering the financial beating so many organizations in our community have taken over the last two years.  The problem emerges when you finally conclude the status quo is not sustainable under any conditions, and trying to salvage it is a futile and wasteful effort.  Unfortunately, in the year 2010, it remains disturbingly unclear whether a critical mass of association leaders has reached or is willing to accept this conclusion.

Regardless, we must shift our resources toward what I call “the generative work of transformation.”  This work is more difficult than perpetuating a status quo in decline because there is no ready-made cookbook of recipes for thriving in the volatile and uncertain 21st century.  Instead, transformation demands that we rediscover purpose, reengage people and reinvent practice from the ground up.  This will be a greater challenge to our capabilities than the current pursuit of incrementalism.  But if we are able to approach this work with openness, imagination and good judgment, it will change fundamentally the long-term fortunes of our organizations and our community in ways that are extraordinarily positive.

One of life’s saddest discoveries is the clarifying effect of tragedy.  A recent tragedy in my life has helped me see more clearly what matters most, and what does not matter at all.  As I approach the end of Principled Innovation’s ninth year, I’m no longer satisfied with the level of impact my work is having on the future progress of the association community.  So for the rest of my time as a contributor to this community, however long that may be, I am going to redouble my commitment to the generative work of transformation.  I hope you are ready to join me in this effort.  I’ll be sharing more of my plans in the months ahead.  Stay tuned.

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