Small changes making big differences Katrien Termeer emphasizes the importance of small wins: small, meaningful steps with tangible results. Small radical initiatives can have a significant impact in creating fundamental change in the overarching economic system. These often local and open initiatives allow everyone to participate and contribute in his or her own way and to his or her ability. The small wins approach is based on three theories. The first is from organizational psychologist Karl Weick, who demonstrates in his research that what a person wants becomes clear by taking action. If one tries to solve the entire world food issue at once, that person will become overwhelmed, which might prevent him or her from taking any action. The second theory is appreciative inquiry. By focusing too much on the problem, a person mainly creates extra problems. However, if one focuses on ambitions and opportunities, possibilities will grow. Third is Lindblom’s muddling through theory, which states individuals go faster in the long term if they move forward with small steps, especially when issues are complex. Taking small steps and initiatives that might influence the grand scheme invites people to stop just talking and start acting. Action is exactly what we aim for when we invite students into the minor Business, Leadership, and Sustainability (BLS) to develop a concrete business model that contributes to issues that matter to them, to people they know, to nature they care for, and to issues they engage with. We asked them to create “pockets of future” that can be embedded in the present. From these business models, significant changes can be identified and positioned in the overarching frameworks and visions of the future. Now 1st horizon Transiton future Visions of the future 2nd horizon Pockets of future embedded in present 3rd horizon 7 Degree of strategic fit with the environment Figure 2. Curry and Hudson’s (2008) seeing in multiple horizons
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