what is impact?

The trap of 'working in impact'

Often we impact professionals fall into the trap of limiting 'impactful' behaviour to our roles and industry niche. I want to define impact as far broader and altogether simpler to pursue.

Barebones 'true value add'

Impactful behaviour and professional activity encompasses the genuine smile and good morning you give to your building's caretaker at a F500 firm, to the integrity with which you sit in the boardroom and make decisions over other's welfare with their genuine interests in mind.

Impact does not discriminate by what is trendy and can be generated in virtually every industry, whether that's pushing for green energy solutions at an energy major or spearheading ethical advertising techniques at a leading FMCG brand.

These kind of behaviours keep in mind 'true value add', which does not only consider short-term profit-making but long-term value generation. This means that the energy employee wants to position their firm to be a first-mover in the energy transition, while maintaining energy supply from fossil fuels for their clients in the meantime. It also means spearheading ethical advertising that may appear to reduce the effectiveness of a marketing campaign that appeals to addictive behaviours and our deepest fears, but with the knowledge that consumer consciousness is becoming aware of these tactics and will pivot away from firms who are openly using them.

Both of these behaviours are therefore long-term value generating and position enterprises to reap the rewards of 'true value.' Being impactful, is first and foremost, adhering to truth and long-term value — with the best information you have at the time. This includes being flexible if there is a war or other shock that derails your plans, and being able to priioritize your impact goals. Impact means being pragmatic and being able to pivot when new evidence arises. It is not about being dogmatic or being morally superior or performative. All of that is loss-making.