TRANSFORMATION
OF PARTICIPANTS
LOCAL DEPTH
AT GLOBAL SCALE
GAME-CHANGING
INNOVATION
MULTI-LOCAL
ORGANIZATION
CATALYST FOR
TEAM CAREERS
Culture of
Growth
1. Transformation of participants
The first, and most important way that we define growth is in terms of the transformation we generate in all the people participating in our programs. Whether they are students, teachers, parents or company workers, we aim to grow the transformative impact of our programs, especially in terms of helping them to think, feel and act in the long-term collective interest of humanity. To grow on this dimension, we rely on these three character traits to shape our culture:
1. Rigorous. We always rely on the latest insights from learning science as well as participant feedback to continue to redesign and enhance our curriculum to ensure maximum impact.
2. Bold. Good is never good enough for us; to have transformational impact, we have to be bold and design exceptional learning experiences that leave lasting impressions on participants.
3. Passionate. The authentic passion of our facilitators is another critical element of transformational learning, so we share our own life stories to create truly memorable learning experiences.
2. Local depth at global scale
The second way that we define growth is in terms of the reach of our programs. In order to realize our dream and fulfil our purpose, we aim to grow both our local depth and our global scale at the same time. This means adding more geographies while also doing more with every school and organization. To grow on this dimension, we rely on the following three character traits to shape our culture:
1. Sincere. We always begin from a sincere place: to help our partners achieve their own objectives so we will design a solution and offering that is in the best interest of each school or organization.
2. Curious. We know we will not be able to design the best solutions for our partners unless we show up with immense curiosity and listen actively to understand their context and their needs in great detail.
3. Bold. Sometimes the best solutions will go beyond the incremental actions that some consider feasible, so we will advocate for bold action without minimizing the constraints holding them back.
3. Game-changing innovation
The third way that we define growth is in terms of our willingness to disrupt the education sector. Whether designing learning experiences or thinking about new ways to measure impact or even in the way we run our organization, we aim to grow and accelerate our game-changing innovation. To grow on this dimension, we rely on the following three character traits to shape our culture:
1. Pioneering. We accept the value of disruptive innovation so we challenge longstanding assumptions, try new ways of doing things, and prepare to either to fail fast or to adapt and scale new ideas.
2. Curious. We are insatiably curious: we are not afraid to question everything, to leave behind last year’s ideas and to ask “why not” over and over again until we land on new insights that trigger new ideas.
3. Relentless. The pursuit of innovation never ends: we are relentless in challenging our own thinking and driving new paradigm shifts, even if it means more work, because we know it is the secret to our success.
4. Multi-local organization
The fourth way that we define growth is with respect to our own organization. As we grow our global reach, our organization will have to grow to incorporate the new geographies, but we will have to tailor to local differences while maintaining our cohesion as one entity. Thus, we aim to grow into a united, multi-local organization. To grow on this dimension, we rely on the following three character traits to shape our culture:
1. Adaptable. We know that every community is unique in its history, culture and customs so we do not believe in replicating the same approach everywhere: we adapt to suit our new environments.
2. Purpose-led. Being adaptable does not mean that everything is up for grabs: the one constant in our work is our purpose; we will not deviate from our true North and will always be purpose-led.
3. Relentless. We work at an entrepreneurial venture pace within our not-for-profit context: we know our operating velocity is not for everyone but we know those who join us, enjoy that challenge.
5. Catalyst for team careers
The fifth, and final way that we define growth is in terms of the personal development of our people. For all our team members, we aim to be a catalyst for their careers and help them grow as individuals. While insisting that each person must own and drive their development, we recognise the need for a supporting and transparent work environment to enable that development. To grow on this dimension, we rely on the following three character traits to shape our culture:
1. Committed. We recruit people who are committed to grow as individuals and who value the feedback needed to become better versions of themselves; and we fully support them to do just that.
2. Purpose-led. We are not motivated by money or fame; we are motivated by a shared desire to make the biggest contribution we can to the collective advancement of humanity.
3. Passionate. Our team members have a wide array of personal passions and we support all career paths: growth within a role, advancement to a different role or working toward an external path.
