Working on solutions in the social impact or climate space can feel lonely and frustrating. We’re working within a system rooted in extraction and competition. A system whose very survival depends on things staying the same. However, designing a better tomorrow require us to Shift from competition to collaboration.

Shifting the future for and through design require us to share space, resources, struggles, hopes, and future visions together.

What if… instead of centering our organizations around single stars that cast a shadow on everyone else, we created environments where many sparks together could light up the whole room?

In the book, Emergent Strategy, adrienne maree brown (amb) writes about how many of the organizations working for social change rely on one single charismatic leader. It's the rock star who is put on a pedestal and expected to solve all our problems.

The idea of a single rock star doesn’t just show up in social change organizations. Presidents, sports stars, celebrities, CEOs… all positioned as the ones who will create a better country, company, or community for all of us. It’s the water we swim in and the ripples are pervasive.

The single rock star narrative doesn’t just create a power imbalance. It also creates an environment where according to amb “Rock stars get isolated, lose touch with our vulnerability, are expected to pull off superhero work, and generally burn out within a decade.” It creates a weak system that stands or falls (which it sooner or later does) on the shoulders of one person.

DesignShift 12: from one star to many sparks.

The best missions won’t be illuminated without a depth of knowledge and a breath of people. Through distribution we can create a sustained light that illuminates every corner, not just the corner offices.

“There are significant differences between building a plane and building relationships.” “Imagine what could go wrong if you try to build a plane without calculations and projections. Now think about what could go wrong if you try to build relationships based on calculations and projections.“

-Hospicing modernity

DesignShift: Design within modernity has been focused on creating things. Products, buildings, stuff… We’re slowly shifting our focus away from creating things towards creating change. As we shift from building things to also building relationships, what do we need to learn/unlearn/relearn? Which tools are still helpful? Which are harmful?