Your First Key to Creating Major Impact
We can all look around and see that things are wrong. That things can be different. That things should be better.
But if we don’t speak our ideas out loud, if we keep them buried under doubt or perfectionism or fear of judgment, or just lack of clarity…
Things can’t change.
And if we speak up, but our ideas are cloudy or jumbled or rambly…
Then thing’s WON’T change, even though we’ve “shared” our idea. Because just to “say something” isn’t enough. We need to say it in the right way: clearly, compellingly, and with intention.
Change is only possible when you share your idea, when you articulate it masterfully, and when you share it over and over and over again.
The world, your community, your business, your life, your family — none of it shifts without someone speaking up and offering a new perspective clearly and compellingly.
So if you want to create change (whether that’s change in your family, in your kid’s school, in your business, in society), you need to understand what I call your Power Idea inside and out. When you do, that’s when you can make a difference by sharing it, because every time you talk about it, you’ll clearly articulate what’s wrong now, what could be different, and how we can get there.
That’s when people will hear you, remember your idea, and take action on it.
Too often, even the best ideas go unnoticed (or misrepresented) because they're not expressed in a way that others can understand or act on.
A disjointed message doesn't just go unheard. At best, it becomes lost in the noise. At worst, it gets twisted and used in a way you never intended.
But when your idea is well-articulated and compelling — that’s what creates the possibility for positive change.
That’s why we all know justice workers like Dr. King and Malala. Scientists like Jane Goodall. Politicians like FDR. They spoke not only with their hearts, with the passion that fueled them, but with clear, specific language that we could grasp onto, remember, and repeat. And their ideas led to massive change.
In contemporary terms, we’d call them thought leaders: a person whose ideas are influential and, as such, viewed as an authority.
Many business owners want to be seen as thought leaders, but they fail because they share too much in too many different directions. Their authority is watered down, and their influence is minimized.
Thought leaders don’t become thought leaders by having a lot to say. They become thought leaders by having one incredibly powerful thing to say — and by saying it over and over and over again.
At the heart of EVERY meaningful movement or shift in society is a clear, powerful idea.
But Power Ideas don’t just appear one day out of thin air. (Good ideas do, though, and good ideas have potential to become Power Ideas!)
Creating your incredibly impactful Power Idea requires intention, dedicated time, and thought partnership.
“Good ideas” are concepts. Power Ideas are communicators.
Without intention, dedicated time, and thought partnership (i.e. discussion, brainstorm, and co-writing), most people struggle to communicate their ideas in a way that really make them capable of impact.
That can show up in different ways:
Maybe you get caught up sharing every nuance, every detail. As a result, your message gets diluted and forgotten.
Or maybe you see the big picture of your idea (the change you want to create, the movement you want to start) but you when you talk about it, people can’t repeat it back to you, because you’re yet conveying it in a way that’s easily graspable.
Or maybe you have so many thoughts in your head that you get overwhelmed and say nothing at all.
No matter how it shows up, that lack of specificity, of intentional crafting, means your ideas don’t get the attention they deserve. And THAT means the world doesn’t get to experience the impact you’ve envisioned.
The first key to creating major change is crafting your Power Idea.
By definition, your Power Idea is simple and focused. The way a Power Idea is structured, it cuts through the noise and clearly communicates what challenge we’re facing, what the alternative can look like, and how we can get there.
It’s about identifying that one thing that encapsulates your vision — that idea that holds the power to drive change, inspire others, and push your mission forward. A well-articulated idea is both simple and profound: simple enough to be understood and profound enough to drive action.
It’s a concept so focused and clear that it becomes the driving force behind everything you do, say, and create.
When we don’t deeply understand our Power Idea, we risk wasting time and energy on efforts that don’t matter. We miss the opportunity to connect deeply with others, to inspire them, to lead them. The world remains stuck in the status quo, and our vision of change never takes root.
That need for depth is why the first “form” your Power Idea will take is your manifesto.
Your manifesto is a longer, essay-style perspective on what challenge we’re facing, what the alternative can look like, and how we can get there.
To be meta about it, this blog is an example of a manifesto. Can you find the sections that discuss:
what challenge we’re facing
what the alternative can look like,
andhow we can get there?
(Hint: They don’t appear in that order.)
Creating your manifesto allows you to dig in and create a strong foundation for your Power Idea — on that can then be stripped down into your core statement.
Your core statement is the super-versatile, clear, short version of your Power Idea.
“Change is only possible when we share our ideas.” << If you follow my work, you’ll recognize that phrase.
You’ll also recognize the related concept:
“Thought leaders don’t become thought leaders by having a lot to say. They become thought leaders by having one incredibly powerful thing to say — and by saying it over and over and over again.”
I repeat these ideas all the time.
I’m known for them.
And they’ve made an impact in how people approach their businesses, their children, their communities.
When we embrace clarity, when we get crystal clear on our Power Idea, the possibilities become limitless.
We begin to communicate in a way that makes people listen, understand, and act. Our ideas travel farther than we ever could. We create a ripple effect, where one clear message sparks change not just in individuals but across communities, industries, and the world.
When we create that kind of change, when we open the doors to that possibility, the world becomes hopeful.
Your Power Idea isn’t just a tool for personal or business success — it’s a catalyst. A way to start movements, to create change that ripples out beyond your business, beyond your team, and into the world. It can spark conversations that connect strangers, encourage collaborations that bridge divides, and drive action that transforms the very fabric of communities.
It’s what allows you to lead with purpose, speak with confidence, and drive action with clarity.
The world won’t change just because you’re speaking up.
It will change because the idea you speak about is a powerful one: clear enough for others to understand, compelling enough to remember, and specific enough to show them what to do next.
Let’s create your Power Idea together, so you can speak clearly, peak with purpose… and share the idea that makes your ideal world possible.