Reflections 25th April

The concept of scale has been on my mind this week and the difference between scale and growth. When we scale something, we usually take a finished concept and reproduce it to make it more widely available, reduce the cost of making it, and generate more impact. When something grows, it does so not just by reproducing but adapting and experimenting. What is still unfolding is never complete.

There's a big difference for us. When we scale something, we effectively freeze it in time with specifications, rules and policies carefully crafted by lawyers. We ensure that those in charge must approve any change and that it must meet our pre-determined goals.

When something grows, it grows from the edge and adapts as it goes to thrive in the circumstances in which it finds itself. The centre learns from the changes taking place at the border and redistributes resources to where they are needed so that the whole organism thrives.

Manufacturing scales; Forests grow. Hatred scales; Love grows. If wh…