Are you swimming in a sea of ideas but unsure where to start?
Do the countless ways to drive change leave you feeling dizzy?
Now, more than ever, the world demands your action.
So, please revive your ideas and bring them to life.
Boldly champion the cause you love, like climate action or social justice.
Annnnd I get it, you might feel overwhelmed about how to begin.
You might wonder how to effectively create the impact you envision.
Fortunately, I have some simple theory of change tools to guide you.
They’ll help you to take confident steps.
The tools will help transform your passion into real change.
You can start small to build momentum.
Take action today and make a lasting difference.
Your journey to change begins now.
Emphasis on sweet and simple.
I promise.
These are tips and tools I’ve used for years, decades even.
They’ve proven their reliability.
Pick the one(s) that calls you.
Then get going, getting your change on.
Six practical tips and tools for effecting change
| Tip/Tool | Use it when | More info |
| Stakeholder types | You’re not sure who to focus your change efforts on | This is a goldy oldy, a simple tool that helps you examine four categories of stakeholders. Stakeholders, btw, are those individuals and/or organizations who can impact or be impacted by your change effort. Use this editable worksheet to help you. |
| Transtheoretical model of change | You want to zero in on how you and the folks you’re focusing on typically react to change | I know, I know, I promised you simple, and the title of this tool is anything but. BUT it actually boils reactions to change down to four simple stages. Check out how I use it for discovering your change personality. |
| R.I.S.E. tool | You’re stumped on actual ideas for how to effect change | I use this model of mine frequently during my workshops, and it’s always a hit. It helps you generate loads of ideas using a quadrant system focusing on Revolutionary (big, bold)/Evolutionary (soft, quiet) and Individual/Structural or systemic focus. Just be sure to quiet your inner critic while you’re brainstorming and let your ideas rip. You can (and should) evaluate your ideas later, but not now; just let them flow. |
| Avoiding decision fatigue | You’re overwhelmed | Pat yourself on the back – did you know you make on average 35,000 decisions …. a day!? Decision fatigue is a real thing, especially by the day’s end. Source: Dr. McClain, Get Back on Track, Mel Robbins podcast). If you’re focusing on effecting change, make sure you’ve got the energy for it and don’t have decision fatigue. If you do, then plan to continue your change work another day, after a break. |
| Sweetgrass and mindset | Your mindset is muddled and hurting | Your mindset (a.k.a.. your attitude) plays a HUGE role in your change efforts. Check out inspirational reads (like the quote below) and the tool I made for you (link below this chart). “Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” Source: Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. |
| Social change cycle | You’re not sure what type of change(s) to focus on | Use the social change cycle to take note of where you want to focus.. Are you trying to change attitudes, awareness, behaviours, and/or impact? Locating yourself goes a long way to effective change. And bonus, it can also help you brainstorm specific ways to effect change. |
Here’s that mindset tool I promised you from tip number 5 above.
You’ve got an incredible recipe in front of you, the ingredients being:
- Your incredible self +
- Your passion for creating change in the world +
- The subject of your passion (ending Gender-based violence, poverty, hunger, increasing education opportunities, green space, whatever floats your boat) +
- Tips and tools for change, 1 through 6 below:
- Examine your stakeholders
- Examine how you and your stakeholders tend to react to change with the transtheoretical model
- Use my R.I.S.E. tool to have fun generating loads of change ideas
- Avoid decision fatigue to give yourself the best shot at success
- Watch your mindset and seek inspiration
- Use the social change cycle to inspire you
Mix that all together, bake, and what do you get?
Sweet success for you, your community, and the world at large.
Now go on and learn, laugh, and lead
Learn
- Pick the tips/tools from above that speak to you
Laugh
- Nudging people to change doesn’t have to be hard. In fact it can be super fun, like this.
Lead
- Put the tips and tools into use and let me know how it goes. I’m cheering you on. Always.
P. S.
- Change often involves speaking to other people. Are you interested in brushing up on your public speaking skills? Check out the Effective Public Speaking course I’m giving June 18 and 19th if you’re a UN staff member (and if you’re not but you’re interested, simply reach out. Let’s talk!).
- Here’s what some past UN workshop participants have said about the workshop:p participants have said about the workshop:
- I am now equipped with tips on how to be a good public speaker
- Lee-Anne made it easy, fun, and enjoyable. Very informative.
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