We want a perfect outcome in our projects, one that is practically identical to the objective set out in terms of reference. In the social environment, processes are often idealized; it is believed that there is a ‘perfect formula’, an equation that must yield a specific and exact result, but the wonder of social processes is that this is not how they work.
There is a clear, simple answer to this situation. In the social environment, we work with people, ever-changing human beings who are on personal, ever-changing quests to reach a goal, to get closer to an individual purpose or even the world’s purpose.
The mere fact of working with human beings means that there is no formula, but rather a ‘navigation chart’ that will change according to the weather, the tide, the boat itself, the winds and other factors that we sometimes cannot even predict or identify.
Learning to live fluidly with this type of process allows for more relaxed implementation free from unnecessary tensions and the pressure to meet indicators that are sometimes impossible to achieve. Flowing in social projects does not mean being ‘relaxed’; it means embracing the constant change that comes with it, smiling at the first turn the ship makes, and looking often to new horizons, leaving behind the old north that marked the beginning.
Let’s learn to value those moments when one or three people arrive at collective spaces, even if we were expecting 15 or 25 people. The numbers start to come to mind, the indicators and the snacks that will no longer be served, but those few people were the ones who were meant to be there at that moment.
Learning to understand that everything is meant to be when all the efforts and the hard work are carried out carefully, responsibly and lovingly is the mindset we should all have and what truly sparks transformation and positive impact.
We invite all project dreamers, all doers, all ‘number crunchers’ and managers, to understand social processes as ever-changing entities in motion, as perfect environments for innovation and team synergy. As the saying goes at Indeleble: What would happen if you and I could make 1 + 1 greater than 2 to create a great transformation?
