Why it is Hard to be an Ecosystem Builder
In the last couple of weeks, I have had conversations that have brought home why it is hard to be an ecosystem builder. Three different conversations took place that I am going to illustrate why it is hard. I am intentionally not including names because I think it makes it less about me and more about us – ecosystem builders.
An Invitation to the Table:
The first conversation took place among a group of three ecosystem participants and me. We were discussing the current state of the Omaha and Nebraska ecosystem. This conversation involved each basically complaining about the lack of meaningful movement in the ecosystem for a decade despite claims by many that things are great. The reality is that things are fine – but not great. The facts are garbled, the truth is enhanced, the reality is painted glowingly because we want to matter. Rarely do ecosystem builders get invited to the adult table to discuss the future of their community or city. Not never – but rarely. And at those times, ecosystem builders’ perspectives are often simply not counted as important – despite the fact that the reason for the conversation (some modicum of success) is often the result of the ecosystem builder’s work. In other words, the person belongs at the table because they made the meal. But now that the important guests have arrived, there is no attempt to create dialogue – instead it becomes a small group of “leaders” who will decide the fate of a region.
This is bad leadership by the group. This is bad acting by the group. The reality is that communities are built on thousands of little actions that make up the system. And the key is that it is a system – so no one action or big decision will “create” change. This is why simply saying “Black Lives Matter” does not create systemic change – instead it takes hundreds of thousands of individual actions and decisions to do the right thing throughout the process. This is one of the reasons that I get discouraged because after doing something “right” for a week, people will revert to past bad actions or inattention. AND, they will fail to acknowledge that someone else is continuing to fight for change. Thus, they steal the limited glory AND they degrade the systemic actions necessary to accomplish their own stated goal. It reminds me of a basketball team that jumps from learning to dribble straight to inbounds plays without long-term attention to the basic fundamentals of the game. Many times the “coach” is someone that “played” basketball but does not have the necessary understanding and skills to instill the values and skills necessary for a new group of players to build strong underlying capabilities.
Acknowledgment of Efforts:
The second conversation was with one of our clients. This is someone that I love. He is funny and smart – and will probably read this article. He has taught me many things. This is less about this specific conversation and more about the type of conversation. He mentioned someone with whom he had a really great meeting. He described how this meeting is likely to lead to a deal for the company. And then, he asked if I know the person. I had set up the initial meeting. It slipped his mind and truly is no big deal. But, one of the reasons that this causes long-term systemic problems for ecosystem builders, is that it happens a lot. Most of the work is not glamorous, but when stuff works, it hurts that there is rare knowledge of your role or acknowledgment. That ultimately leads to lots of anxiety and sadness. I have done this for fifteen years, and I am unusually un-emotional about such things – so it tends to run off my back. But, I understand how having success in your role as a connector or deal facilitator is hard to claim when no one remembers your role. I like to say that success has many mothers and fathers – and I believe this to be true. The connection, in this case, was catalytic but it did not create the deal – the two parties still had to do that on their own. The challenge is to understand that you are having an impact even when people you know and like, forget about your role in that positive change.
Lastly, I had a conversation with another person that I like and admire. This person mentioned a long-term business relationship and discussed all of the positives that had come from this arrangement – investments, wealth, etc. This is a relationship that has been in place now for about a decade. I helped facilitate the relationship – even having the first initial meetings with the person and the company. So, I am very much aware of and know the situation. However, this person – who I like – asked me if I knew the company and its role. I said that I did. Then, he described how it was critical that the problem in the community is that people don’t seem capable of doing these types of things right now.
Again, my catalytic efforts were the first mover on the relationship he described. He did not remember. No big deal. I am truly not offended. What he does not know is that on the receiving end – the company made me a number of promises of ways that they would help me with additional programs to provide introductions and services. After my part of extending the company’s efforts in the region, they simply stopped taking my calls. And, they said publicly that I had not helped – calling me out as a person that was “in the way”. The point of this is three things. First, over time, I have learned that being pushed out is not necessarily bad for the ecosystem or for the individual builder. It hurts. It is truly one of my largest professional “mistakes” and one that I think of often. I still am not sure how it happened – but I recognize that in the long-term, it was just fine for me. I hear that this has happened with lots of builders around the country at some point in their careers. It is okay to be disappointed, to be sad, to hold a grudge, even. But, honestly, the present is fleeting – and that can go a long way to allowing yourself to appreciate your efforts. Second, it is funny how karma works. Often when this happens (although not in this specific situation), it will turn out that the parties have gross problems that you may have been able to fix or help assuage – causing something promising to falter. The reality is that this can sometimes make you feel good – but I am always disappointed about that reaction in myself. IN other words, these situations can create many emotions, and no matter how you feel – don’t blame yourself. It is just fine. Third, after many years, you will be able to appreciate that you did something that no one else may recognize – but for you, it would not have happened.
A Marathon Not a Sprint:
The hardest part about ecosystem building is that it requires a long view that is often unrecognized and under-appreciated. It means you often take flack and negative energy/remarks when it is not deserved. And you rarely get praise for your efforts even when they succeed to create more than what you originally believed was possible. Take heart in the consolation that you are doing good work.
In conclusion, I would simply state that being an ecosystem builder is emotionally difficult because it rarely is rewarded with praise and often rather than hatred – you simply receive emotional ambivalence. This makes long-term work feel empty without short-term emotional satisfaction, but to avoid burnout, I strongly recommend building inner satisfaction that is not dependent on how outsiders view or praise your work. Instead, build with no belief that you will ever see the success that is destined.
It is in times like these that I use the Oscar Romero prayer “Prophets of a Future Not Our Own” that I was introduced to – at Creighton Prep when I was in high school.
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent
enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of
saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master
builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.