A system is in equilibrium when it is balanced and stable. Such systems tend to be pervasive, self-reinforcing, and persistent, even if they are not reasonable, just, or fair. As a steady state, systems in equilibrium can feel natural, even inevitable, as the way things are and ever shall be. Social transformation—that is, positive, fundamental, and lasting change to the prevailing conditions—happens when individuals and groups take aim at the status quo, disrupting it by introducing new ways to see it, new actors with interest in and leverage to change it, and new ways to engage technology and stakeholders. The path to such transformative change, even when conditions appear ripe, is far from inevitable; nor does it always run smoothly. But social entrepreneurs have demonstrated four essential phases.
Understanding the World
For social entrepreneurs, deep understanding of a particular status quo propels all that follows. They may start out where most of us do, tacitly accepting “what is.” But then, they set out to understand how the equilibrium came be and why it persists. This involves appreciating the workings of a system even while abhorring its outcomes; drawing on their own expertise even while apprenticing with others, and experimenting with interventions to learn what works.
Envisioning a New Future
Vision matters. A compelling image of the future, and clear steps to achieve it, are essential for transformative change. It begins with belief in the power of human beings to transform their lives. Its power lies in balancing specifics within a systemic approach, and its careful consideration of particular beneficiaries in the context of the system as a whole. More often than not, a vision that leads to transformation also has to be adaptable and resilient in the face of changing conditions.
Building a Model for Change
A powerful model for change serves as the scaffold for getting from undesirable equilibrium to the new, desirable status quo. The social entrepreneur takes a creative approach to re-align the dynamics of cost and value in a given system. Most successful models rely on alliances with those who can be shown that the application of their resources to solve problems affecting marginalized or disenfranchised segments of society will create greater value for all.
Scaling the Solution
Ultimately, it is achieving impact at scale that matters. Scale is the stage that marks the true equilibrium shift, and the stage at which many would-be social entrepreneurs fail. It takes intentional design and hard work—to plan for scale economies from the outset, to take a systemic approach rather than trying to go it alone, and to embrace open-sourcing, encouraging others to build on and advance working models.
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