I am very lucky. Many executives agonize over their vision statements. They want a statement that will inspire, that will create loyalty, and that will motivate action. I follow nearly five decades of tireless work to achieve a world in which every person has the tools they need to realize their potential. I came into an organization that has vision in spades. It was this bold vision and hard work that brought the International Book Project to life.
Seeing the vision is easy; achieving it is where I have to put in the work. To hold myself accountable to our mission, I found five guiding principles that I keep in mind every day-
1. We are unconventional. Through our exchanges with partners all over the world, we are constantly exposed to different cultures and perspectives and we learn from all of them. We must live and work outside of the box if we are going to succeed in getting educational tools to the most remote places.
2. We keep it simple. Our warehouse and offices may be Spartan by most standards, but we have what we need. The International Book Project’s growth should always be responsible, and we keep our administrative costs low.
3. We collaborate. Shyness is not an option. If other non-profit organizations, businesses, or individuals have an idea about how we can improve or build better partnerships, we want to hear it.
4. We silver-line it. It is easy to get discouraged when we are faced with an illiterate population of over 700 million people, when 2/3 of them are women, and when the challenges we face are so huge. We aim to amplify what it is working and find the silver lining in every cloud.
5. We act. Whatever must be done to meet our objectives, we get it done. With a small staff and limited resources, we all pitch in wherever needed. We see every project through to the end.
Former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan has spoken eloquently about the power of literacy. He said “literacy is the bridge from misery to hope.” He added that “for everyone everywhere, literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman, and child can realize his or her full potential.” That statement has never been truer.
So, what is my vision for the future of the International Book Project? That– paving the road to human progress. I am very lucky.