A better world is possible - Global Commons Institute

Copyright Bruce Nixon 2010. All rights reserved. This electronic copy is provided free for personal, non-commercial use only.
www.brucenixon.com
people focus on possibilities and vision. That changes the mindset and turns obstacles into opportunities...
Technology is not the issue; it is the way we think. One way of putting it all is: “If we have a clear vision, the
universe will conspire to support us!” Synchronicity will kick in. In my experience this almost always works.
Aim to engage everyone. The transformation we need cannot be seen as a fringe project of eccentric ecoangels
or greens. It has to be a mainstream movement, involving everyone. There is an urgent need to
develop awareness and help people see that they can and must get involved. We have to create a “critical
mass.” Wikipedia defines this as “a socio-dynamic term to describe the existence of sufficient momentum in a
social system such that the momentum becomes self-sustaining and fuels further growth”.
For a large-scale community initiative to succeed, it is essential to identify and engage all stakeholders. All
the diversity of the community is needed, people of all cultures, political and religious viewpoints. Only in
this way, will we meet all needs. It is important not to underestimate opposition, those powerful vested
interests, some local and some global, including “deniers”. Respect, listen and learn from people who
disagree with you. “Restraining forces” can be a gift - ignore them at your peril (Johnson, B, 1996). People
who resist change often become strong supporters.
Vision and Mission Exciting possibilities, passion and hope inspire and sustain us. Everyone needs their own
vision of the community they want to create, brought together in a shared vision. The process starts with the
leadership but the whole community needs to be involved. The mission is the long term task. Here is the
mission statement of Transition Town Totnes:
The mission of Transition Town Totnes is two-fold. The first is to explore and then follow pathways of
practical actions that will reduce our carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels (getting to zero carbon
is increasingly seen as viable response). The second is to build the town's resilience, that is, its ability to
withstand shocks from the outside, to be more self reliant in terms of food, energy, employment and
economics.
The worldwide Transition Town Network’s website is an invaluable resource.
Be clear about priority objectives. The objective is a sustainable community in which we reduce our
carbon and eco footprints to 2 tonnes and 1.8 global hectares respectively. We need to create measurable
or observable 10 to 20 year objectives, milestones and short term wins that will encourage us. We need to
act; pause to reflect, take stock and review; then continue; then repeat these steps.
Leadership is crucial It is evident in all successful initiatives. Successful leaders inspire and enable. Often
initiatives fail because there are too few leaders; they burn out and become exhausted and discouraged.
Instead of defining their role clearly, some get too involved in doing. Paradigm change is too big for a project
leader approach. It requires leaders who focus on their strategic role, especially being leaders of leaders,
developing new leaders and giving them the freedom and support to lead others. They have high
expectations of everyone and build good relationships. They involve people in building a shared vision to
which everyone is committed. Roles are clearly defined. Every book about change I have ever read stresses
the importance of “Communicate, communicate and communicate!”
Organise and allow and encourage things to emerge and people to self-organise. A clear
organisational structure is essential that takes care of the key functions, long-term and short-term,
campaigning, global and local, doing and thinking, reflecting and learning. The different strengths and skills in
a group find their place in such a structure. But it is equally important to enable things to emerge in a selforganising,
messy, chaotic ways.
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