Are you leading an impactful life? Check this new framework

Using a mix of observations and Statistics, I have created something called a Social Impact Model. This model enables you to understand the level and context of your role in society. In reality, most of us know our level and context of society, what I have done is place it in a simple framework.

Level 1: At a basic level almost all of us have an impact on our families. This includes Grandparents. Parents, Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Spouse and Children and even Friends

Level 2: Many of us venture outside the home and have an impact outside the home, at a basic level we impact other people - Your employees, Your employer, Co-workers etc. Anybody who goes out to work could be included in the group

Level 3: Some of us not only have an impact on our families and employees but because of what we do having an impact on a larger eco-system. These could include - Investors/Shareholders, Vendors, Suppliers, Local Communities and so on. We tend to be far more influential than the average person in Level 2.

Level 4: A few of us are extremely talented, lucky or rich and tend to have an impact on large numbers of people. In some way, we are similar in our actions to those in level 3 but the difference is the Scale of impact. Level 4 people impact millions, maybe even billions of people. One example could be our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Level 5: These are a handful of people who have changed the direction of civilization itself and mostly tend to come from the area of science and technology (not all of them). One example could be the German Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the Printer.

Membership to each of these groups needs different levels of skills and abilities (and probably some luck).

Everyone becomes a member of level 1 by birth. Unless one has terrible social skills, it is unlikely that people will get thrown out of level 1.

To make it to Level 2, people need certain levels of skills, time and effort. Individuals in this group use these skills to earn a living and figure ways to reach Level 3.

Those in Level 3 have a variety of resources at their disposal. These could include wealth, access to networks, high order professional and social skills, ability to find gaps, strong emotional quotient, quite persistent and driven and so on. Therefore they stand out in society and community as people worth emulating. Many in level 2 want to be in level 3. Many in Level 3 of course would love to be in Level 4.

The Level 4 people are usually the top most raters in their professions. They are very highly skilled problem solvers, they have an extraordinary ability to understand things (relevant to them) and at a significantly faster pace than most others and extremely persistent and driven. But the biggest difference between them and level 3 is the ability to grasp the bigger picture. Level 4 people tend to understand the big picture in whatever area they are in at a much better and quicker way than level 3 people and therefore are far ahead of the curve.

A society's wealth is mostly dependent on what % of the population are located higher up the Pyramid. The higher the % of people higher up the Pyramid, higher the affluence levels of the society. In India, 46% of the population is only in level 1 and unlikely to move to other levels, the equivalent % for China is 29%. The fact is, more the people moving to level 2, more likely we are to have a large number of people in level 3 and level 4. One of the arguments made in India is that being in Level 1 only ensures greater happiness and satisfaction. Linking this data (at a glance) shows no such linkage with results of happiness surveys.

In many ways, unconsciously life is like a game trying to reach the top of this pyramid. Everyone is trying to reach a new level and therefore the game appears never-ending. The quest is a permanent one. Most of us are contented with being at level 1 and level 2 and some of us at level 3. The most ambitious ones attempt to be at Level 4. I am not sure anyone knows how to be in Level 5, it just happens I guess.

This is a simple effort of mine to look at one's career and life. Your feedback would be extremely valuable. Thanks!