Love, Lycra & Kryptonite: how we're going to change the world

Can small deliberate changes, adopted by many, create big impact? Or does it take bold action to shake things up?  

I believe it takes both. Whatever the change – to improve the way we treat each other, to achieve equality, to support those living on the margin, to save the planet – we need as many people as possible, making one small change and sharing the word. But we also need the bold change-makers. The people willing to dive-bomb into the cause to create a tidal wave of impact.   

Superheroes. Really? Yep.  

This is my formula for changing behaviour ...

Now, I know I’m not the first person to come up with this idea. Let’s face it, there are dozens of Avengers movies cashing in on this very concept. But there's a reason those films are so popular. There’s definitely something to it. And it’s more than popcorn and special effects. Something innately human, unquantifiable and compelling.  

This is my story that lies behind the question, the idea and my solution.  

A mother’s perspective  

I'm a mother of four. I only gave birth to two, but I love them all as though I did. That’s an uncommon modern story. Life is full, noisy and challenging. It’s also vibrantly rewarding, and I learn from each of my children, every day.   

For the last 10 years, I've been talking to our kids about the importance of taking a deliberate approach to your impact. When they were smaller, I would use physical metaphors to lead our discussion. One of our favourites involved a toy boat. As we set it to sail across our pool, I would draw their attention to the ripples flowing out from each side of the boat. The obvious first question was "What is a ripple?" And then, "Where are they going?" and "What do they do?"

After much discussion and debate, we agreed the boat sent ripples out in all sorts of directions. They started small and tight, eventually reaching out and rolling towards a gradual stop. Some we could see. But I also asked them to consider if they thought there might be ripples pushing downwards from the boat. Ripples we couldn’t see. Now, that really got them thinking. And arguing!  

Then we would experiment with force. Regardless of how hard or gently we launched our boat, ripples would flow out in various directions and speeds. On no occasion were there no ripples. Even when the boat was bobbing quietly and peacefully away from our attention.  

So, why we were doing this? Well, it certainly wasn't a kindergarten physics lesson! Instead, I drew a parallel to their lives. Every choice you make sends out ripples. And your ripples impact the world around you. I asked them to think about how their decisions affect others. To be considerate and deliberate. To take responsibility for how they move through the world. 

This holds true for everyone. But often our impact isn’t so easy to see. We’re so wrapped up in our moment, in the view from our small place in the world, that we fail to consider how our decisions affect those around us. But we all have the power to make a difference.  

It can be as small as a friendly smile as you exchange cash with the person serving you coffee in the morning. Yes, it’s early. And I know you’re late for work. Again! But they could be having a dreadful day too, and your choice to smile warmly could be the light of hope that stops a desperate act. Often, we don't know the impact that even our smallest choices have on others. 

Boats, kids and smiles. Why am I writing about this? You all know about the Ripple Effect. I’m not teaching you anything new. So, why?  

Australia needs change. Big change. 

Change can be uncomfortable. Especially when there are people who feel they must lose for someone else to succeed. But a rising tide lifts all boats. 

If we’re to hold up the sky successfully, we must work together to lift women up, alongside men. The stats on women's comparative financial well-being in this country are appalling. Terrifying, in fact, when you consider that 20% more women than men retire with zero dollars in super. Let’s explore that for a moment. 

Shocked? Yep, me too. I could share more stats (and I will! Just giving your psyche a wee break today). But let’s abandon research and data over in Nerdville. Let’s get practical for a second. This isn't bad just for women. It’s bad for their children, the people who love them and the communities in which they live. And if we’re going to be honest, it's also bad for business and the taxpayers who will have to fund social infrastructure to support them when everything else fails.  

Everyone benefits when women are safe, happy and able to support themselves financially 

My solution is to focus first on increasing women's financial security. To do this, I’m building a For-Purpose FinTech that aims to create a 100-billion-dollar direct economic impact for women and to generate 100-million dollars to fund social impact initiatives that will help Australian women at risk. Now, they are big targets. But they’re not sensational headlines. It is absolutely do-able.  

But we need to do this together, regardless of gender, age or race. That’s the only way to create a safer, more harmonious, more balanced world where everyone has access to the same opportunity.  

So, how do we start a movement that will bring women and men together? How do we convince everyone to stand shoulder to shoulder, and lift each other up?  

To create a bold, powerful movement, one ripple alone is not enough  

To genuinely build a movement of change, we need each ripple to create another. And another, and another. Until it takes on a life of its own, beyond those of us who step into the water first. What does it take to turn one ripple into a tidal wave?  

We must create hope. And inspire belief 

To create a movement, we need to tap into people's hearts. To build a tribe of Love Warriors, we need to make it easy for people to find their superpowers. We must help them confront and reject their kryptonite. And we need to be truly present. To stay by their side and pull them in for a hug when it gets tough. Because when we commit to change, there will be some dark moments before the dawn.  

Finally, we must empower each and every one of them to believe they have a choice. They must believe they can be a hero in this story. That the only decision is to lean into the change that is needed to lift us all.  

To do this, a gentle ripple isn’t enough  

Each gentle ripple matters. But to instigate deep, meaningful change, we need bold moves. Big hearts. We need waves that are hard and fast to spread the change that is so desperately needed right now.  

I’m taking the leap. Will you join me?  

We’re getting ready to launch Super Fierce and Fierce Impact over the next few months. These businesses, For-Purpose and Not-For-Profit soul sisters, are my answer to these bold questions. Our mission? Close the gap. Economic security and a fairer super system for everyone. And we do mean everyone. We lift women up, because when women do well, the world does well. But we’re for community. And connection. And we know we need everyone, regardless of gender, age or race, on our side if we’re to achieve true equality.  

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, head on over to the Super Fierce interim website to join our growing community of lovers, warriors & believers.  And by all means, connect with me and follow our company page here on LinkedIn.

  #internationalwomensday #genderequality #diversity #socialjustice #humanitarianrights