"History and data inform, but imagination transforms." ~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Growing up, the seesaw was one of my favorite toys to sprint to on the playground. Oftentimes, a classmate and I would go up and down back and forth. On occasion, we would lift our feet up and try to balance ourselves without either of us crashing to the ground. Sometimes we were successful, other times we were not. However, we continued to keep trying to balance ourselves on the seesaw.
How often does this seesaw scenario play out in the relationship between funders who are focused on facts and evidence and non-profit leaders who want to introduce an innovative initiative? On one end sits the ongoing demand for data – numbers, statistics, and cold facts. On the other, the vibrant pulse of innovation – ideas, creativity, and vision. As leaders, the challenge is this ongoing quest to serve and make an impact, while keeping this seesaw relationship balanced, ensuring that the relationship, the work, and the organization doesn’t come crashing down, because if it does, lives can be changed forever. Yet, as with any seesaw, leaning too heavily on one side can lead to pitfalls. Over-reliance on data without discerning its deeper narrative can hinder true progress, boxing leaders into traditional models and smothering innovative potential.
As leaders, how can we better manage this seesaw dynamic? Bryan Stevenson, renowned social justice attorney, author of Just Mercy, and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) comes to mind as someone who has mastered this balance. After reading Just Mercy, hearing Stevenson speak on multiple occasions, and visiting the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery AL, I've witnessed how Stevenson used hard-hitting data about racial bias in incarceration, along with using innovation to inform, inspire and bring about change within the criminal justice system. Instead of being shackled by the numbers, Stevenson uses data as a tool to carve out a world where innovation can address issues of injustice to change systems and change lives. Stevenson has faced the seesaw of numerous legal battles, pushbacks, and resistance. Despite these challenges, Stevenson and his EJI team remained committed to their vision, which offers us three insightful;l leadership lessons that leaders can use to balance the seesaw of data and innovation.
Look Beyond the Numbers: At the heart of data lie profound narratives—stories of individuals and communities waiting to be unveiled. Leaders who delve deeper into these stories can transition from mere logical decisions to ones brimming with empathy. By recognizing the intertwined tales within data, we can craft initiatives that resonate, unlocking untapped potential and driving genuine, impactful change.
Shatter the Status Quo: History serves as both a roadmap and a springboard. While it offers insights from past successes and failures, true innovation emerges when leaders break free from the confines of precedence. By championing fresh perspectives and inclusivity, we can leverage history as a launchpad for visionary pursuits, ensuring we reimagine rather than simply repeat.
Pair Data with Vision: Data sketches the outline, but vision breathes life into it. In the dance of innovation, they move in harmony. Data provides insights into trends and patterns, while vision transforms these into actionable strategies. This dynamic duo ensures that as the landscape evolves, the overarching mission remains steadfast, culminating in initiatives that have a transformative impact on communities.
Thought-Provoking Questions:
When has data limited your team's creative solutions? How can you pivot and still use it constructively?
How can your organization ensure it's not using data as a crutch, but to support vision-inspired and bold innovation?
How does your organization ensure that data collection and interpretation practices are ethically conducted and free from bias?
Interactive Exercises:
Innovation Imagination: Take a set of data points. Craft a futuristic narrative around it – the bolder, the better!
Two Sides of the Same Coin: In groups, one debates the pros of a data-driven approach, while the other champions the merits of vision. Swap roles and debate!
To learn more about how to balance data and innovation, check out Bryan Stevenson’s TED Talk titled "We need to talk about an injustice."
In our quest to bring about solutions to the social challenges we face, innovation, data, and vision are the yin and yang. Data lights the path, but our inner compass — passion, vision, and inclusivity — determines the journey’s trajectory. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about justice, innovation, and the courage to lead differently.
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