Fated to Pursue the Light

Of all the things my father wrote, I remember this in particular: Nothing that results in human progress is achieved with unanimous consent. Those that are enlightened before the others are condemned to pursue that light in spite of the others.

Ferdinand Columbus*, son of Christopher Columbus

In Western culture, those who defy the norms by trusting their vision of the future are called change-makers. Yet, in the age of great exploration, these same people were labeled dreamers or even enemies of the church and society at times.

These pioneers, driven by their sense of destiny, consistently refused to see the world the way it was. And it was not uncommon for them to sacrifice their families, their health, and sometimes even their lives in order to achieve a purpose greater than themselves.

While times have changed, these change-makers can be found in most large organizations. But are they perceived as a threat or are they recognized for their true worth? Here are some ideas to better understand these exceptional people.

The Explorers

How did a penniless Italian immigrant, taken in by Spanish monks, change the course of history? In my opinion, Christopher Columbus* is the perfect embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit.

For over a decade, this Genoese-born sailor pitched his plan to reach the Indies by the western route. He sought to sell this idea to various monarchies (at the time providers of venture capital), among them England, France, Spain, and Portugal. The answer was always the same: no. “Your calculations are wrong and the sea is uncrossable.”

Even those who backed him, such as the entourage of Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, were hardly convinced by the vision of this stubborn sailor.

Nevertheless, Christopher Columbus persevered. And the man who was once called a dreamer, one who dared to challenge the gods and defy the sea, sailed to the shores of a continent unknown to Europeans, forever changing the understanding of science and trade.

Do You Know the Explorers Within Your Organization?

Are they in the right positions? Are you providing them with the means and conditions to succeed? In a world where the appetite for greatness is constantly dwindling, it would be unfortunate to see your company miss out on their passion and perseverance. The reality is that these modern-day explorers—forever eager to cross the frontier from the Known to the Unknown—are key players in paving the way for innovation.

Stifled by Innovation Theatre

Growing up, my mother used to tell me, “Everyone wants to eat, but no one is willing to go hunting when it's time.” Consequently, I often say that everyone wants to innovate, but few are willing to change.

The sad reality is that many prefer to stage innovation theatre. This made-up neologism refers to the steps taken by an organization to “appear” innovative to the outside world when beneath the surface, the reality is something else.

And when it comes to granting budgets requested by innovation teams, investing in a promising start-up, or implementing concepts proposed by employees, corporate paralysis sets in. While a variety of reasons are given to explain this retreat, fear of the Unknown nonetheless sustains this heavy status quo.

Very often, this seemingly benign stagnation jeopardizes the well-being of those who struggle every day to grow and innovate. Whether it's when they've developed a good idea and senior management falsely entertains the hope for more, or when a start-up puts its heart and soul into developing a proof of concept (POC) with a large company, every step backward creates a new chink in the armor of these pioneers.

Many organizations, either by lack of vision or by lack of managerial courage, fail to measure the extent of the emotional wear and tear they generate. This is why decision-makers need to realize that in this particular context, the consequences of inaction are often more damaging than the action itself, however imperfect it may be. Don't fall into the trap of innovation theatre and remember that transparency and consistency are our best allies. As a leader, you will benefit more from hiring people who are truly passionate about innovation rather than building innovation teams for the sake of looking innovative.

Why Did We Stop Dreaming Big?

In the late 50s and early 60s, the Soviet Union was the first nation to send a satellite into space (Sputnik 1, 1957). The first to send an animal into space (Laika, 1957). And most importantly, the first to send a human into space (Yuri Gagarin, 1961). At that time, the United States seemed to be on the verge of losing the Cold War.

But history has shown time and again that it is in troubled times like these that great leaders leave their mark—and John F. Kennedy was no exception. In 1961, he tasked the newly formed NASA with sending a man to the moon and returning him safely to Earth before the decade was out.

But what many ignore, or forget, is that the computers which could help to realize such prowess did not exist yet. It was therefore necessary to create them before being able to start developing space programs!

Similarly, innovation was required in an array of related areas ranging from propulsion to safety, remote control, crew, materials, and an infinite number of other specialties. A colossal project verging on mission impossible.

But great leaders like Kennedy understood something their opponents did not —when we have a shared identity and belief (the American can-do attitude) and have a larger-than-life mission (landing on the moon), something magical happens, limitations fade away and true cooperation arises.

And from then on, human genius expressed its full strength and potential. Thus, beyond the technical feat, Kennedy had given a whole generation a reason to dream.

These changemakers have the ability to bring to life an ambitious and collective vision that is both empowering and engaging. Martin Luther King Jr. did not draw up a five-year strategic plan. No. Instead, he carried on with his dream, which had become a shared one, that of a son of a former slave and a son of a former slave owner sitting at the same table and sharing a meal. The civil rights movement now has a strong and inspiring voice and America has taken great leaps forward.

As leaders, we all benefit from cultivating a sense of a shared dream. But be careful that we don't promote or amplify exhausting, or even worse, demotivating goals. The dream must be aligned with your mission. Carrie the latter by ambitious and inspiring words.

Ode to Active Dreamers

There was a time when humanity looked skyward. The starry nights fed our imagination and the cosmic mystery drove us toward the Unknown.

These explorers—or active dreamers as I like to call them since they take action to realize their dreams—desperately need leaders and decision-makers who believe in them and are willing to back them.

We mistakenly think that they are exceptional beings who do not know fear, doubt, or pressure, but this could not be further from the truth. They often struggle in silence, because after all, they are human. What sets them apart is that they choose courage as the driving force of their lives.

While we are increasingly obsessed with the next election, the next bonus, or the next quarter, these pioneers refuse to embrace short-termism. In a world where most people dream small, or worse, don't dream at all, these active dreamers dare to dream big by focusing on the long-term vision.

These explorers once believed in grace, honor, and glory. Today, these changemakers believe in the potential impact of making a difference, even within a large organization.

And so, dear active dreamers, be prepared to be misunderstood during this long marathon. Somehow, the Universe will do everything it can to keep your dreams from materializing, and during this long journey, you will be criticized, judged, and even intimidated at times. You will doubt yourself. Some people will even see madness in your ideas, and yet, without being aware of it, would do anything to possess a fraction of your courage.

In times of despair, remember that you belong to an exceptional group of people, who still believe in the magic of human beauty and genius. The history books are filled with individuals like you. Thank you for keeping us dreaming and pursuing the light. Never has the world needed you more than today.

Federico Puebla

French version here: https://federicopuebla.com/2021/07/condamnes-a-poursuivre-la-lumiere/

*Within the context of this article, we are talking about Christopher Columbus. I would like to point out that, although he was not advocating the mass elimination of indigenous people, the consequences of his discovery were disastrous for the local populations and cultures.

As an immigrant myself, born in a formerly colonized country in Latin America, I am particularly sensitive to this topic, but my intention here was to bring forth that spirit of exploration that our organizations so desperately need these days.