Some of our favorite moments on the blog this year came from our conference speakers, who shared their stories and their advice. Like you, they’re all doing impressive work. Of course, changing the world isn’t easy. The good news is that we don’t have to go it alone: We’re featuring our speakers’ top tips for making a positive impact, from taking risks every day to never taking "you can't" for an answer.
Nicole Anderson
Director of Philanthropy, AT&T
Learn the business first. You won’t win over many supporters if you charge in the first day with all the great ideas on how to make positive change. Chances are quite good that your colleagues have been there for some time already. Although they may seem old and out of step to you, if you take the time to get to know your colleagues and their expertise, you will learn the internal culture and unwritten rules of the organization that will make it easier for you to create even greater change throughout your career. I’m not saying you won’t break the rules at some point, as you’ll have to in order to truly champion change, but it’s helpful to learn those rules first, especially the unspoken ones.
Meriwether Hardie
Senior Executive Associate, Rainforest Alliance
Never take "you can’t" for an answer. I have been told "you can’t" a lot – I have been told that I am too young, that I don’t have enough experience, and that because I am a female, it is too dangerous for me to work and travel to the places where I travel. If I had listened those people, I wouldn’t be where I am. Be smart, be a problem solver, be a leader (you don’t need a loud voice to be a leader!), use creativity and humor as tools in your toolbox, be determined, and don’t accept a "you can’t." If we are to truly deliver the Rainforest Alliance’s vision of a world where "people and the environment prosper together," we must push back the boundaries of what others say is possible and instead focus on what is necessary.
Rajesh Karmani
Founder and CEO of Zero Percent
Find something at the intersection of what feels natural to you, what feels right to you, and what is exciting to you.
Matt Mahan
CEO, Brigade Media
This is counterintuitive, but I encourage idealistic young people to consider opportunities beyond the traditional “social good” jobs in the nonprofit and corporate social responsibility sectors, and instead think about creating change through products and companies that touch a lot of people’s lives. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working at a nonprofit (I’ve spent a lot of time working with and for nonprofits through the years), but traditional industries need socially minded people to transform their products for a new era.
Paula Thornton Greear
Marketing Expert
A movement alone is not enough to create change. To be effective in changing social norms and public policy, there must be an organized coalition rather than a haphazard response to issues or events. Coalition building is critical.
Jennifer Gerholdt
Director, Environmental Initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
There’s a well-worn adage to do one thing a day that scares you. Take risks. Don’t think you are qualified for that job? Apply anyway. For example, many skills are transferable and many jobs build in training so if you don’t know all you need to know when you take the job, you soon will! Don’t think you are qualified to speak on a particular topic? Do it anyway. Don’t let the fear that you haven’t been in the field for 30 years like the other panelists or that someone will ask you a question you don’t know how to answer stop you from getting up there and adding value to the conversation. Set your sights on what you want to accomplish, and put your foot on the accelerator – it’s an amazing ride!
R. Paul Herman
CEO and Founder of HIP Investor Ratings
Pilot Friday! Brainstorm an idea Monday, syndicate it Tuesday, design it Wednesday, train people Thursday, and pilot it Friday. I used it in consulting at CSC Index and try it every week at HIP.
Snehal Desai
Global Business Director, Dow Water & Process Solutions
Determine your big goals and objectives. Then, work your way back and establish small steps that keep you moving in the right direction. Too often, we can get overwhelmed and bogged down as our priorities shift. Persistence and an “eye on the prize” mentality will get you to the finish line.
Want to hear more?
You can watch video of some of our favorite moments from the conference on our website, including keynote speakers. Watch now.
