I want to talk about collective impact—the blend of what’s real between sustainability and social value. We’re living in times where Change Can’t Wait—it’s not just a catchy phrase; if we want a better world, we’re part of the solution.
To share space with change, to recognise our lack of control over it, to respect its consistent unpredictability takes courage. The pull felt in our work may not fit existing parameters but who’s to say it shouldn’t be? Change happens both in instant and endlessly over time. It might feel like an echo chamber, it can take months, years, decades, or a generation, but the more we connect on a deeper level the stronger this change will be.
This has been written as a personal reminder, as a source of direction for times of doubt. My glasses aren’t rose-coloured, we know it’s messy. Change doesn’t wait. We either let things run their course or influence them. Real change isn’t going to come easy or without some discomfort. But neither does life.
Collective impact is the social side of sustainability. I think of it this way: sustainability and social value together are like the roots of a big tree—grounded in care, reaching deep into the soil of our communities, supporting and connecting everything that grows above. It’s all about relationships. Our planet, our people, our resource.
This work might sound idealistic, but it’s far from naive. There is a science to it, a pattern, some predictability and certainty (for another time).
A Call to the ‘Rebels’
Here’s the thing: the change we want to see doesn’t come from grand gestures alone—it’s a million small, often invisible choices done collectively. Some days, it’s choosing to speak up; other days, it’s the quiet work, it’s showing up, it’s recharging alone and through others. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are in your professional journey, this is a conversation for everyone. It may be part of our ‘roles and responsibilities’ but creating system change needs us to spread the roots wider. There are unspoken societal rules, norms or expectations and these aren’t controlled by any individual. You have choice.
The work of “doing good” should be popular, encouraged, it could be, can be and is in within ever strengthening groups. Let’s create a wider, not unique or privileged experience. I think of those tiny ripples—the way each small act matters, and how our choices, words and smile can lift others.
When we talk about being part of collective impact, lean into our agency. Even if our contributions feel small, they still have weight. It’s easy to wonder if all these small gestures add up. They do. They’re the magic in the mundane, the details that spread, the hope that transforms people and our world around us. You can change your and those around you’s worlds. Don’t wait for permission to care deeply.
The Social Side of Sustainability: A Story of Connection
I could share countless stories of seeing this first hand. How creating space or having had space created to feel comfortable is felt fully and with empathy. It’s the very thing that shaped my voice. It’s a freedom and gift I want to share.
And here’s a funny thing about change: it’s never just one person or one idea. It’s the combination of all our voices, our strengths, and yes, especially our flaws. It’s finding ways to be honest about how we’re not perfect; we’ve all got our egos and our blind spots. That’s why we have eachother. Challenge me and I’ll challenge you. That’s part of what makes a collective alive, finding your team. Responsibility can feel heavy. It’s OK to stand on the shoulders of giants or support from the shadows. Our weight is lighter shared. We don’t have to be saints or think we can save the world to do that.
Making Space for Change—With a Touch of Rebellion
When I think of collective impact, I think of it as more than a set of goals, it’s a quiet rebellion. A reminder that we don’t have to follow the same old rules just because they’re there. We’re the ones here to shake things up, to build something that feels right—not just effective but meaningful. Change Can’t Wait isn’t just about big changes; it’s about choosing, day after day, to make space for those moments of kindness, creativity, and courage that end up being more impactful than we think.
And here’s the best part: we truly don’t have to do it alone. It’s a journey we’re on together, even if we haven’t met yet. There’s a kind of kinship to those who choose good, we seem to find eachother. To those who feel like outsiders, or had your ideas hurt, we welcome your ideas, your experience. Let’s not just preserve what’s around us; let’s build something new, something that reflects the values we hold close.
It’s about creating a future where people feel empowered, included, and inspired to make a difference. A future built on open understanding and genuine collaboration—finding solutions with communities, not assuming answers or experiences we can’t know. Speaking up with love and listening with an open heart, change to a voice united, not divided.
So let’s keep showing up, not because we think we’ll fix it all, but because we know that what we do has meaning. Let’s bring our whole selves into our shared world, flaws and all, and create a culture where each of us feels valued and necessary. Because at the end of the day, our work, our lives, our choices—they’re the heart of this change.
And if you’re reading this, you are part of that heart too.
Inspired by you, thoughts by Rosie Hart.