Taking Charge of Change

About the Author

Paul Shoemaker is a seasoned social impact leader with extensive experience in addressing and solving critical societal issues. He is a thought leader known for his ability to connect across sectors and mobilize resources to drive significant social change. Shoemaker's work spans over two decades, during which he has held key roles in various nonprofit organizations, including Social Venture Partners International. His expertise lies in leveraging cross-sector partnerships to tackle complex social, economic, and health challenges. "Taking Charge of Change: How Rebuilders Solve Hard Problems" reflects his deep understanding of the evolving landscape of leadership and the qualities required to navigate it successfully.

Main Idea

The central premise of "Taking Charge of Change" is the urgent need for a new type of leader in the 2020s – leaders Shoemaker calls "Rebuilders." These leaders possess unique qualities and skill sets essential for addressing the profound economic, social, and health disparities that have emerged in the United States. Shoemaker argues that the traditional leadership models are inadequate for the challenges we face today and that Rebuilders must exhibit traits such as 24-7 authenticity, complexity capacity, generosity mindset, data conviction, and cross-sector fluency to effectively rebuild the foundational structures of American society.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The State of Our Bridges
2. Part One: Rebuilders
   • Identifying Rebuilders
   • Traits of Rebuilders
3. Part Two: Why Rebuilders Matter for the 2020s
   • Economic Bridges
   • Technological Bridges
   • Cross-Sector Bridges
4. Part Three: The Five Vital Traits
   • 24-7 Authenticity
   • Complexity Capacity
   • Generosity Mindset
   • Data Conviction
   • Cross-Sector Fluency
5. Conclusion: Rebuilding Together

Introduction: The State of Our Bridges

Shoemaker begins by drawing a powerful analogy between America's deteriorating physical bridges and its crumbling social, economic, and health structures. The year 2020 highlighted the fragility of these foundations, emphasizing the need for leaders who can rebuild and restore these essential systems. He introduces the concept of Rebuilders, leaders equipped to navigate and mend the complex and interconnected challenges that define the current era.

Shoemaker points out that just like the bridges that require constant maintenance to prevent collapse, the structures of our society need vigilant leaders who can address the ever-growing disparities. He states, "The state of our structurally deficient bridges in 2020 is an evocative metaphor for the nation we are living in right now." This metaphor sets the stage for understanding the critical role of Rebuilders in today's world.

Part One: Rebuilders

Identifying Rebuilders

Shoemaker studied leaders from diverse sectors – private, public, and nonprofit – to identify the qualities that make an effective Rebuilder. These leaders are characterized by their measurable success, cross-sector experience, and embodiment of specific traits that align with the needs of the 2020s. They are not the conventional leaders we are used to seeing; instead, they bring a fresh perspective and a unique set of skills to the table.

He emphasizes that Rebuilders are those who have achieved significant success in their respective fields, often demonstrating a mix of hyperauthenticity, an exceptional capacity for complexity, and extensive cross-sector experience. These leaders are poised to tackle the unprecedented challenges of the 2020s. Shoemaker states, "They have achieved a level of measurable success or effectiveness. There is some objective, public measure by which one can ascertain effectiveness."

Traits of Rebuilders

Rebuilders possess qualities such as hyperauthenticity, exceptional complexity capacity, extensive cross-sector experience, and more. These traits enable them to address the megachallenges of our time effectively. Shoemaker emphasizes that these leaders must be adaptable, open-minded, and capable of bridging gaps across various sectors to create cohesive and sustainable solutions.

These qualities are not just nice-to-have but essential. Rebuilders are described as leaders who "don’t look and sound and act the same as we are used to seeing." They break the mold of traditional leadership by embodying traits that are directly aligned with the unique challenges of our time.