- Being a ‘solutionist’ is made up of five overlapping points:
Vision – Optimistic purpose, informed by the future we want.
Grit – Hard-working hope that never gives up on the vision.
Flex – Changing plans, failing fast, and adapting as many times as needed.
Fun – Finding the positive in the problem, building teams, and enjoying the ride.
Soul – Having a calling to make a difference in the world.
- We’re just over two decades into what I call the ‘solutions century’—an era in which we’ll accept the benefits that industrialization has gifted us and unflinchingly face and fix the harms that progress unleashed. In doing so, we’ll kickstart a solutions revolution that will propel human wellbeing, equity, and experience to a future worth living in. It’s worth mentioning that this transformation will also be worth trillions of dollars.
- No single country wants to pay to mitigate its emissions unless everyone else will too. So… the answer is for the economy to make the case for action within itself: ‘Investing in green innovation will lead to new industries and job creation.’
- Resource use < positive impact = Solutions Economy
Resource use > positive impact = Old Economy. - Karen Pflug, CSO of IKEA: ‘If we have all the big ideas and this wonderful purpose and vision, but don’t bloody well get on with it, then what’s the point?’
- The primary factor in most tipping points is when enough people understand and accept the personal benefits from change. Not collective benefits. Not environmental benefits. But the very literal, ‘what’s in it for me?
- Solutionists’ worlds revolve around outcomes. This means looking, focused and unwavering, at the future, not the past.
- The best way to decide what to do is to ask yourself, ‘What would I most enjoy?’ Not what would make the most difference, not what the world wants, not what you think ‘needs’ doing. Instead, what would bring you the most personal joy to work on every day.
- Make it fun if you want it done.
