Change thrives on contrast—the sharp divide between the status quo and a bolder future. To accelerate the shift, we must name what’s different, illustrate it vividly, and then embody it fully. This sequence sparks momentum at the start and sustains it all the way to the summit (or the next milestone on the journey).
For years, I struggled to explain how to accelerate results until I applied this exact process to my core concept: Driving Change.
My original sketch showed a leader equipped with tools, guiding a diverse group of enthusiastic volunteers up a mountain path—smiles on their faces, hands raised in commitment. It highlighted inclusion, showing that the “usual suspects” could expand to a much broader team in any organization.
What it missed—and what illustrator Sarah Moyle brilliantly captured in her re-creation—was making the leader me. Personalizing it underscored my own deep commitment, transforming it from abstract idea to lived reality.
Sarah’s version added a radiant sun of possibility over the peak and wove in the human connections among those choosing to Drive Change together. It turned a good sketch into something inspiring.
Yet even a beautiful illustration wasn’t enough to make Driving Change truly powerful. I had to embody it—live it so authentically that others paused, noticed, and felt compelled to claim the same momentum for themselves.
This is the proven path I’ve followed to bring Driving Change into the world. It’s the same one you’ll need for any transformation you want to ignite in 2026.
Name It
Define it clearly and specifically. What exactly are you changing? Why does it matter deeply—to you, your team, or your organization? What personal and collective investment are you ready to make to reach that summit faster?
Illustrate It
Paint a vivid picture that resonates. Add sensory details: How will it feel along the way? What sounds of progress or celebration will mark the victories? Where are we right now—at the trailhead, midway through the climb, or pushing for the final ascent?
Embody It
Show up transformed—so unmistakably different that others can’t ignore it. Use fresh language: “Driving Change,” “change buffers,” inviting volunteers over assigning tasks. Lead meetings with tenacity and curiosity. Enroll allies by saying, “I’m committing to this path, and I’d love for you to join me in 2026.”
The mountains of change await us in 2026. Name your bold goal. Illustrate the journey ahead. Embody the hope, the momentum, and the triumph.
Let’s make 2026 the year we rewrite what’s possible—for the better.
