Building a Movement for Social Purpose Real Estate

Building a Movement for Social Purpose Real Estate

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The Future Laboratory finding…

“Everything is driven by a human urge for connection”

Collective Analysis


“The collective leadership role of social purpose real estate is needed and in demand ”

Constraints Analysis

The Future Laboratory finding… “although money was on the list of high barriers, there is a deeper systemic barrier underneath it ”

“knowledge, relationships, skills, capacity and culture are all people powered barriers”

Next Steps & Needs to get there


“the movement needs a shared platform for data and stories exchange and people need access to consultants for expertise and knowledge”

Reflections

Why are we here?

This conference has brought together a wealth of different people working in a variety of different parts of the real estate industry. Within all this diversity, there is much common ground.

The more common ground we can find, the greater opportunity for alignment. The greater the alignment, the more consistency of message and action, the more consistency, the more impact.

In essence, we are attempting to begin to define the movement.

What do we do?

We are attempting to analyze, ( in a very short period of time) the aspects of your movement that make you unique and special. We are then able to combine this information with what we see going on in the world around you. We combine all this content for two main reasons:

- to cultivate your culture. To move you from organic to intentional.

- to mobilize your mission. Help you find ownership and impact.

Movement Building Tip #1

Think of yourself as the norm, not the niche. If you put yourself in a box, that is most likely where you will stay.

“It’s a spectrum, not a label” - Seth Godin

We are all "social” entrepreneurs. It's tempting to reserve the term as a method

for clarifying what makes us special.

The problem with this is that it lets everyone else off the hook and suggests

that the goal of every un-prefixed organization (the 'norm') is to only make as

much money as possible, as fast as possible.

But that's not how the world works.

All of us, whichever job or project we choose to take on, do something to change the culture. That social impact, positive or negative is our choice. It turns out that all of us are social entrepreneurs. It's just that some people are choosing to make a bigger (and better) impact than others.

It's a spectrum, not a label.

The Community needs common language that is free of jargon. More accessible to those within and outside of this space.

What we heard.


Cultural attributes like Innovative, Futuristic, Confident are more attractive than Nurturing, Open and Collaborative. If we can position the movement within a frame of innovation, we can grow the audience outside our own base.

If the movement was a car…..

Prius (effective, efficient, good) Minivan (Multi-purpose) Electric - (sustainable) Hybrid Bus - (innovative, room for lots) Tesla - (the new one) Mini - (It makes me happy) Bike - (self propelled) Suburban towing a restored airstream (not that efficient, beautiful to some, room for everyone)

Movement BuildingTip #3

Do not underestimate the complexity of multiple stakeholder teams and partnerships.

When financial return is the only metric, decision making is quite easy. When social impact becomes a metric as well, decision making becomes much more complicated and personal. Learn to engage all sectors involved.

People need better tools and methodologies for facilitating collaboration and partnerships. Better support, networks, case studies and best practices.

What we heard.


Successful partnerships and collaborations must be values/mission aligned and this needs to include the end users.


Look for someone to follow. Leadership is great, but a room full of only leaders is not very successful.


Focus on building a Qualitative and Quantitative narrative. Turn your anecdotes into evidence.

People want methods to measure and share their impact.

What we heard.


Ownership is power but with ownership comes risk. (both ownership of assets and process)

Movement Guiding Principles

• Embrace and drive change

• Be adventurous, creative, and open-minded

• Build open and honest relationships, it won’t always be easy

• Do more with less

• Lead followers and follow leaders

• Create remarkable places

• Always remember that Misfits will lead the future