Note: Movements Succeed When You Lead From Outside the Spotlight
No single leader has emerged from among the thousands of protestors who continue to gather to demand racial equity – which seems to be the key to the movement’s success.
According to Slate, “Decentralized protest movements have become the norm in recent years. … The most frequently credited reason for this change is the advent of social media.” The article quotes Patrisse Cullors, originator of the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, as saying the movement for racial equity is not leaderless; in fact, she says, it’s “leader-full”.
The key to true leadership of a movement is how well you can use your influence to give voice to constituents and those within the movement. By giving them a platform from which to be seen and heard, they can and should be the voice of the campaign.
Read: Giving Voice to Your Supporters
Photo Credit: sdaponte is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Note: Online Discourse Correlates with Actions
Social media brings people together for conversations in real time. In contrast, surveys capture a snapshot of what people say they are thinking and doing. By comparing these, we can see how important such a multidimensional and contextual view is to understanding a person’s mindset within a movement.
We can’t draw direct lines between exact cause and effect. Yet, we can chart the interplay between online and offline events, the fluctuating nature of influencers, and the power of distractions.
Only with a complete view of the environment within which young people form opinions and take actions related to social issues can movement leaders truly begin to understand how to generate, shape and sustain support.
Download: Actions and Online Discourse
Note: Leaders Exercising a Social Mindset Make Actions Meaningful
A leader with a corporate social mindset applies their thinking both externally and internally in every decision. For example, a company can make a philanthropic gift toward racial equality (external), but still have no people of color in management positions (internal).
A corporate social mindset looks at one’s own biases and makes changes accordingly – and with brands today expected to be transparent, customers and employees won’t be shy about calling out a company that doesn’t walk the walk.
The Corporate Social Mind Research Report: The Public’s Expectations of Companies to Address Social Issues was released in July. The report shows that almost 60% of the public wants companies to give an opinion specifically on racial equity, social justice and anti-discrimination.
Download: The Corporate Social Mind Report
Viewpoints
Recent blogs, articles, and thoughts we authored on movements and research
In the News
Recent interviews and research in media outlets
The sgENGAGE Podcast Episode 157: Digging into the Corporate Social Mind (sgENGAGE)
Corporate America was here for you on coronavirus until about June (Vox)
Book Review: The Corporate Social Mind: How Companies Lead Social Change from the Inside Out (The Philanthropist)
Consumers have high expectations for companies to be socially responsible (The Chronicle of Philanthropy)
Common Impact podcast: What drives young people to act on social issues? S2E15 (Common Impact)
A Majority of Consumers Expect Brands to Take a Stand on Issues Before Purchasing, Survey Finds (Barrons)
Millennials Corporate Partners: What nonprofits need to know (PMA Consulting)