From Oceans to Business: The Power of Anticipating Threats

“No ocean, no life. No blue, no green. No ocean, no us.” ~ Dr Earle

As humans, we often struggle to anticipate and respond to potential threats, whether they be personal or professional. It’s easy to become complacent in our routines and overlook warning signs until it’s too late. That’s why I was so drawn to Dr Sylvia Earle’s efforts to alert decision-makers about the dangers facing our oceans.

Dr Earle’s passion for ocean conservation has been a driving force in her life’s work. She has spent decades studying the oceans and advocating for their protection, recognizing the vital role they play in sustaining life on our planet. Her tireless efforts to bring attention to the threats facing our oceans — from overfishing to climate change — are a testament to her unwavering dedication.

But Dr Earle’s work isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about effecting change. She understands that in order to make a difference, we must be proactive in our efforts to address potential threats. This is a lesson that can be applied to any area of life or business.

Anticipating threats and designing successful change campaigns requires a similar level of dedication and foresight. It requires a willingness to recognize potential challenges before they become insurmountable obstacles. It also requires a deep understanding of the issues at hand and a commitment to finding effective solutions.

In order to design and implement successful change campaigns, we must first identify the key stakeholders and decision-makers involved. We must then develop a clear and compelling message that speaks to their values and priorities and builds momentum for change.

Mission Blue may have you feeling a profound sense of embarrassment for the state of our oceans and the damage that humans have caused. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. While watching Mission Blue I wondered whether Dr Earle’s efforts are big enough to make a difference that’s needed because it feels like a series of small actions but here lies the hope that every one of us has everything we need right now to make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my insights from Mission Blue (2014 documentary). In the next piece, I’ll share what a day in the life of Dr Earle looks like in Mission Blue so that we can draw inspiration from this when we design change.

Catch Mission Blue on Netflix