Causes - from boom to doom?
António Costa Amaral
Investment Executive & Advisor | IESE MBA ? PgMP PMP PMI-ACP Shaping Strategic Success across Capital Projects & Infrastructure
"Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket" - Eric Hoffer
There are no causes without followers; there is no growth without professionalization; there is no management without cynicism.
Now, it is NOT an iron law that all great causes end up going to waste.
If you do want a cause to live on -- don't set it up as a movement.
Great causes should NOT be movements.
Rather, causes should?move people.
The difference is not subtle.
A great cause should?be ideological, based on a fundamental truth or worldview -- inspiring people?to care and get invested.
Movements, on the other hand, are political -- they derive their legitimacy and power from the numbers and enthusiasm of their followers.
As for political organizations - keep their reason for existing safe from the machinery of movements, businesses, and rackets.