Inviting people into the wilderness — why change is about community, not control

‘All projects with a clear specification, good funding and the ambition to scale are doomed to failure’. Why?

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Change is often framed as a clear path with a set goal.

But as Peter Block says, ‘all projects with a clear specification, good funding and the ambition to scale are doomed to failure’. Why?

Meaningful change is anything but tidy. Innovation is human, uncertain, and deeply relational. It’s an invitation into the fog, the swamp, the wilderness, with the destination unclear and uncertain.

In public services, corporate spaces, or anywhere people work toward something bigger than themselves, connection isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ — it’s foundational. Nora Bateson puts it perfectly: ‘there’s no community without first communing.’ The real work starts when we create spaces where people connect, openly explore the uncomfortable, and tap into each other’s strengths: platforms for uncertainty and doubt.

That’s where genuine transformation happens. That’s where we bring our strengths together: ‘Fallibility is recognised in community — not fixed.’

Dan Leyland invited me to a short conversation and set me the fearsome challenge of responding to ‘what’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given, and how have you applied that in the context of change and transformation?’ I don’t process things in that way, and always freeze when asked for ‘the best’ or ‘my favourite’.

But that space is sort of the point — as a spiritual teacher, Jonathan Horowitz, responded to my question ‘Is there anything to be afraid of’, with ‘hmm… that’s interesting — *is* there anything to be afraid of?’

So, remember: Don’t worship too small a god. Don’t be helpful. Look for the possibilities can we uncover when we focus on our connections and look beyond narrowly defined goals. Who are we, together, and what are we really capable of? How can we change the world? Exactly! Join us and we’ll see.

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