Culture Shift: Why culture trumps technology in moving markets

This great video of Rebecca Henderson's talk at VERGE is worth the 10 minutes.  She lays out four elements of a needed cultural shift:

1. Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset
2. Develop compassion for the core (e.g. the mainstream, the status-quo, those who don't see the need for change)
3. Become rational about emotions
4. Develop a systems mindset

Henderson explains each of these concisely in her talk below, and stresses, that like the "fifth discipline" the need for a systems mindset is the most important. 

Moving groups, organizations, and societies as a whole towards sustainability requires great collaboration and profound shifts in worldviews, values, and mental models (e.g. habits of thought, assumptions and blind spots).  I believe we have everything we need in terms of resources, tools, technology to create a sustainable society (though continuing to work and improve on those fronts is important, beneficial, and can potentially make the shift easier) -- and that we still have lots to do in bringing about the culture shift. 

That calls on us all to be open and provide leadership at all levels. Those acts of leadership often involve simply being strong enough to let go of assumptions and preconceived notions; to rethink success, and reevaluate what our fundamental needs are, and how we can most effectively go about meeting them. 

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'Grand Strategy' for sustainability

Below is an interview with Mark "Puck" Mykleby from the recent VERGE conference in Boston. It provides a great overview of his work on a "grand strategy" for the US, which shows the interconnectedness of defense, economic prosperity, and ecology -- and how a proactive, systemic approach to sustainability is the best path forward for the country and the world.

He lays out three major areas of opportunity: (1) housing (walkable, smart growth) (2) agriculture (regenerative agriculture); (3) productivity revolution (reduce resource intensity) . For all of these, sustainability is a central concept.

He also notes that higher education is a receptive partner.  Through the ACUPCC and our other education for sustainability work, we've seen colleges and universities demonstrating more and more leadership to engage with other sectors, take advantage of applied research opportunities, role model solutions on campus.

The work around applying "full-specturum sustainability" to regional clusters is particularly compelling. David Orr has been leading this type of work through the Oberlin Project -- a great cross-sector effort with involvement from government, business, schools and colleges, and faith and civic groups. It covers the full spectrum of sustainability, integrating issues around food, art, economy, education, transportation, technology, building, community, etc.

Having a marine talk about strategy for sustainability in this way is a great way to move past the partisan hang-ups and recognize that sustainability is about preserving and promoting a healthy thriving economies and communities.




Stay going.
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