69 Ways to Change the World

This post was originally produced for Forbes.

The other day, a colleague asked me, “Would you rather buy a 400-page book that guaranteed you’d lose 30 pounds in 30 days or a one-page checklist with the same guarantee?”

That got me thinking, what if I could get the best advice that my network of social entrepreneurs and impact investors could offer in short, tweetable chunks? Wouldn’t they have to strip away all of the stuff that doesn’t matter to provide game-changing advice?

Over the past five years, I’ve had over 800 people on my show to talk about changing the world. Sixty-nine of them responded to my request for their best advice for social entrepreneurs in 100 characters or less. These gems, from people who either have been where you are going as a social entrepreneur or are investing in social entrepreneurs like you, may represent the checklist for success and impact that you’ve been looking for.

Aaron Hurst, CEO of Imperative and author of the Purpose Economy:

[bctt tweet=”Don’t just seek to serve a need but to fundamentally shift an issue or market.” username=”aaron_hurst”]

Adlai Wertman, USC Professor, Founding Director of Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab:

[bctt tweet=”Don’t believe the people who tell you that you need private sector experience first!” username=”adlaiwertman”]

Amit Bouri

Amit Bouri, CEO of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN):

[bctt tweet=”Build relationships and approach performance thru a lens of impact, risk & return. #impinv #socent” username=”AmitKBouri”]

Andreas Karelas, Executive Director of RE-volv:

[bctt tweet=”Have fun with it. Do it for the fun of it and don’t worry about the rest.” username=”re_volv”]

Andrei Cherny, CEO of Aspiration:

[bctt tweet=”Make bold plans. Make them reality by focusing on tiny details. Bet on trust, decency and goodness.” username=”aspiration”]

Anne Friedman, managing director of Somos, a Hult Prize finalist:

[bctt tweet=”Product < Your ability to communicate its value. Nail the elevator pitch FIRST.” username=”annekiehl”]

Arlene Samen, president of One Heart World:

[bctt tweet=”Social entrepreneurs are able to navigate troubled waters without hesitation.” username=”arlenesamen”]

Ashish Gadnis, co-founder and CEO of BanQu, Inc.:

[bctt tweet=”End extreme poverty by enabling an economic identity for all humanity.” username=”devindthorpe”]

Ben Block, founder of GozAround, Inc.:

[bctt tweet=”Don’t undercut your vision. Watering down your dream drains its power to attract support.” username=”benjaminblock”]

Billy Starr

Billy Starr, founder of the Pan Mass Challenge:

[bctt tweet=”Credibility through repetition; closer by the mile; commit, you’ll figure it out.” username=”panmass”]

Bobby Turner, CEO of Turner Impact Capital:

[bctt tweet=”Recognize that daunting social challenges create generational investment opportunities.” username=”turnerimpact”]

Cecile Blilious, managing director and co-founder of Impact First Investments:

[bctt tweet=”Global challenges can be addressed with technology. Think creatively about tech solutions.” username=”cecileImpact1st”]

Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org:

[bctt tweet=”The two most important attributes for a social entrepreneur to possess: hustle and humility.” username=”charlesbest”]

Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones, LLC:

[bctt tweet=”The secret to most success: relentless pressure, gently applied.” username=”bluezones”]

Daniel Jean-Louis, CEO of Bridge Capital:

[bctt tweet=”Foster a trusting relationship between the stakeholders involved in wealth and impact creation.” username=”djlhaiti”]

Daryl Hatton, CEO of Fundrazr:

[bctt tweet=”Most important words for social CEOs: How can I help? Builds team, connections, community & success.” username=”DarylHatton”]

David D’Angelo, Founder of Jack of All Fares:

[bctt tweet=”Persist not for bottom lines, but because lives depend on it. Then live in a state of urgency.” username=”Daviddangelo2″]

David Wilson

David Wilson of Capgemini:

[bctt tweet=”While passion for social impact is key, a sustainable plan is the only path to long-run viability.” username=”capgemini”]

Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes, CEO of Akilah Institute:

[bctt tweet=”It’s never too early to create HR policies. Maybe not the most fun but will save headaches later on!” username=”Edearbornh”]

Jack Rolfe, CEO of the School of Life Foundation:

[bctt tweet=”It is critical to develop solid tools for measuring your impact!” username=”SOLFstraightAs”]

Jacob Lief, CEO of the Ubuntu Education Fund:

[bctt tweet=”Be ambitious. Be willing to risk failure. But also be honest and think critically about your mistakes.” username=”ubuntujakes”]

James Citron, CEO of Pledgeling:

[bctt tweet=”Create like an architect, disrupt like a hacker, execute like a for-profit and lead with heart and impact.” username=”jamescitron”]

Janice Lintz, CEO of Hearing Access and Innovations:

[bctt tweet=”The naysayers will tell you what you can’t accomplish and happily take credit for the success.” username=”JaniceLintz”]

Jenny Kassan, of Jenny Kassan Consulting:

[bctt tweet=”Know that it is possible to raise funding from investors on your own terms.” username=”jennykassan”]

Joel Solomon

Joel Solomon, co-founder and chair of Renewal Funds:

[bctt tweet=”My life purpose drove my investing, an instinctual process of love for the future.” username=”JoelSolomon”]

Juan Diego Prudot, chief information officer at IMPCT:

[bctt tweet=”Play the floor is lava: jump over obstacles and try not to fall, but if you do, the game just restarts.” username=”impctdotco”]

Kara Goldin, CEO of Hint:

[bctt tweet=”Life has so many different chapters. One bad chapter does not mean it’s the end of the book.” username=”karagoldin”]

Karim Abouelnaga, CEO of Practice Makes Perfect:

[bctt tweet=”Don’t chase people who don’t believe in your mission to support your work. It’s a bad use of time.” username=”karimabouelnaga”]

Katherine Fife, founder of Philanthropy Matters:

[bctt tweet=”To be successful, social entrepreneurs must be authentic and express an abundance of gratitude.” username=”katherinefife”]

Kathleen Minogue, founder of Crowdfund Better:

[bctt tweet=”Don’t be afraid of appearing to stand still; listening, observing & reflecting are actions.” username=”kathleenminogue”]

Kip Kint, success coach at Kint Enterprises:

[bctt tweet=”The secret to success in life lies in making, honoring, and keeping commitments… to yourself.” username=”kipkint”]

Kirsten Henry Fox, courtesy of Uplift Gift

Kirsten Henry Fox, founder and CEO of Uplift Gift:

[bctt tweet=”When facing seemingly impossible leaps, suspend disbelief and let curiosity guide you to the bridge.” username=”upliftgift”]

Lance Allred, CEO of Courage and Grit:

[bctt tweet=”The best time hack is learning how to say, No.” username=”lanceallred41″]

Laura Callanan, founding partner of Upstart Co-Lab:

[bctt tweet=”Remember why you are doing what you are doing and pick your metrics before someone picks them for you.” username=”UpstartCoLab”]

Laura Lemle, founder and chairperson of the NVLD Project:

[bctt tweet=”When you come up with an idea or you want to give back, do it. Don’t let fear or obstacles stop you.” username=”thenvldproject”]

Laurent Lamothe, former Prime Minister of Haiti:

[bctt tweet=”Honesty and kindness are the keys to success.” username=”laurentlamothe”]

Laurie Lane-Zucker, founder and CEO of Impact Entrepreneur Center:

[bctt tweet=”Your work is most impactful if it transforms both the world and you.” username=”LaurieLZ”]

Lauryn Agnew, CEO of Seal Cove Financial:

[bctt tweet=”Social enterprises should target, measure and disclose their impact, output and outcomes.” username=”devindthorpe”]

Leslie Calman, CEO of Engineering World Health:

[bctt tweet=”Social change requires thoughtful action. Less tweeting: more doing!” username=”engrworldhealth”]

Lindsay Hadley of Hadley Impact Consulting:

[bctt tweet=”If others doubt, question or criticize you, trust time to tell the true story of your character.” username=”devindthorpe”]

Lindsey Kneuven, chief impact officer of Cotopaxi:

[bctt tweet=”Design for systems change and maintain focus to prevent the dilution of quality and impact.” username=”LindseyKneuven”]

Lindsey Tropf

Lindsey Tropf, CEO of Immersed Games:

[bctt tweet=”No margin, no mission. The business must be sustainable in order to accomplish everything you want!” username=”ltropf”]

Lisa Curtis, CEO of Kuli Kuli:

[bctt tweet=”Start with the story but dive quickly into the data.” username=”LisaCurtis”]

Lisa Tomasi, President of You Give Goods:

[bctt tweet=”Dream big but build your business on small, measurable goals that are focused on your mission.” username=”LisaTomasi”]

Liz Baker, Executive Director of GreaterGood:

[bctt tweet=”Everything starts with impact. Try new things. Stop doing what doesn’t work. Do more of what does.” username=”greatergoodorg”]

Marc Raco of MouthMedia Network:

[bctt tweet=”Curate content that motivates robust sharing. Important to you doesn’t mean important to them.” username=”racomarc”]

Mark Horoszowski, CEO of Moving Worlds:

[bctt tweet=”Keep your mission front and center; never stop testing the best way to achieve it.” username=”markhoroszowski”]

Matthew Davis, founder of RENEW, LLC:

[bctt tweet=”You’re an entrepreneur building a profitable business that does something social. Remember profit.” username=”mattpdavis”]

Matthew Weatherley-White, managing director and co-founder of the Caprock Group:

[bctt tweet=”Mission won’t guarantee success. Be relentless on operations and finances and mission can flourish.” username=”i3impact.com”]

Mellanie True Hills

Mellanie True Hills, CEO and founder of StopAfib.org and American Foundation for Women’s Health:

[bctt tweet=”The more important your vision, the more doors will open for you. Our vision: No more afib strokes.” username=”stopafib”]

Melody Brenna, CEO of Reef Life Nanoscience:

[bctt tweet=”Brains + Biz not synonymous with success, add advanced science + UPlifting Human Condition = ZEN $$$.” username=”reeflife911″]

Michael D. Lowe, A Parent Media Co., Inc. (Kidoodle.tv):

[bctt tweet=”Continually search for novel ways to monetize through unlikely sources, collaboration and integration.” username=”kidoodleTV”]

Morgan Simon, managing director of Pi Investments:

[bctt tweet=”Fight like hell for the things that you really care about. Then forget the rest.” username=”MorganSimon1″]

Nancy Hughes, president and Founder of Stove Team International:

[bctt tweet=”If you are passionate about the mission, it’s not work. You enjoy every challenge and every day.” username=”stoveteam”]

Nancy Pfund, founder and managing partner of DBL Partners:

[bctt tweet=”Don’t be afraid of the incumbent. If you hold to your mission, society will be on your side.” username=”NancyPfundDBL”]

Nell Derick Debevoise, founder and CEO of Inspiring Capital:

[bctt tweet=”Make sure there’s not an existing org to house your vision. Building costs a lot of time and money!” username=”nelldd”]

Paul Elio, founder and CEO of Elio Motors:

[bctt tweet=”Live your passion, love the process, treat people well, do what you say and never, ever, give up.” username=”paul_elio”]

Per Saxegaard, founder of Business for Peace Foundation:

[bctt tweet=”Purpose of business is to improve society (if you’re not here to improve society, why are you here?)” username=”Businessworthy”]

Robert Selliah, founder and CEO of American Medchem Nonprofit Corporation:

[bctt tweet=”Firm attitude of inclusiveness is essential to serve the most vulnerable members of our society.” username=”americanmedchem”]

Ross Baird

Ross Baird, CEO of Village Capital:

[bctt tweet=”Always ask yourself: what is the actual problem I am solving (and for whom)?” username=”rossbaird”]

Sam X. Renick of SammyRabbit.com:

[bctt tweet=”Have a deep personal purpose filled mission to quiet grave doubts, difficulties and disappointments.” username=”SammyRabbit1″]

Samira Harnish, executive director of Women of the World:

[bctt tweet=”Lead by listening. Gain trust by being authentic. Work hard, never taking no for an answer.” username=”womenworldUT”]

Scot Chisholm, co-founder and CEO of Classy:

[bctt tweet=”Always think like an underdog, or lose to someone who is.” username=”scotchisholm”]

Scott Hill, president of Clean Energy Advisors (disclosure: Scott Hill is a client):

[bctt tweet=”Love God, love your neighbor, identify a problem, take action, make a difference…in that order.” username=”williamandhill”]

Steve Grizzell, managing director, Innoventures Capital:

[bctt tweet=”Build a great team. Rarely is anything big done by one person because big problems are complex.” username=”stevegrizzell “]

Thane Kreiner, executive director of the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship:

[bctt tweet=”Focus on how your core competencies generate impact; partner to yield a complete solution.” username=”thanekreiner”]

Todd Sylvester, founder of Todd Sylvester Inspires:

[bctt tweet=”The most delightful surprise in life is to suddenly recognize there is nothing wrong with you.” username=”tsinspires”]

Wendy Lipton-Dibner

Wendy Lipton-Dibner, president and CEO of Professional Impact, Inc.:

[bctt tweet=”Your business success rests not on revenue but on the measurable impact you make in people’s lives.” username=”ImpactExpert”]

Zach Hagopian, co-founder of Accelevents:

[bctt tweet=”Put yourself in the users’ shoes to find the common ground between user needs and business goals.” username=”Accelevents”]

Which challenge most inspires you? Tweet it, then do it!

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Devin is a journalist, author and corporate social responsibility speaker who calls himself a champion of social good. With a goal to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems by 2045, he focuses on telling the stories of those who are leading the way! Learn more at DevinThorpe.com!

The post 69 Ways to Change the World appeared first on Your Mark On The World.