A conversation on TED.com: Do you need to be in a position of authority to initiate great change?

Aaron Yang
Plano, TX
United States

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Do you need to be in a position of authority to initiate great change?

As I am nearing my graduation date, I can’t help but wonder how long will it take for me to rise in a company before I can start shaping our future. I have been greatly driven by TED and RSA to help mold a new revolutionary society. But, in order to do this, I need to start somewhere. Somewhere small. When I see most of the people sitting in the audience in TED or RSA lectures, they all seem to be around 40-50yrs old. Will I have to battle through 20yrs of this bureaucratic and political ladder before I can obtain some sort of influence?

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Kieran Preissler
- 0
Feb 6 2012: If you have an idea that you have thought a lot about and you think you could create positive change from it, spread word about it through social media and find people that share your idea and want to help you make it reality
Zdenek Smith 100+
- +1
Host Associate

Feb 6 2012: Today the Internet provides a huge opportunity for anyone to initiate a change. You need a great idea and good execution of your idea. Then you can promote your idea on blogs, forums and elsewhere. If people like what you have done they will join and help you.
Eli Rodda
- +1
Feb 6 2012: No. Well, at least in my view. Change often is brought upon the world by people who are rather young, and oftentimes not really in a position of authority.
But, age does make a difference. Because of who has the positions of power, and that is the older people. Older people are the ones in control now, and always will be (Noting that people will age all the time). But remember, as you age, your power increases; not only as you gain respect, but as you gain wisdom. So once the older people die or become too old to hold power, the new generation comes in to play. So your (Or our) time will come.
Well, I did just kinda contradict myself there, but my point is you can do it either way. The changes you make now might be small, but go ahead and make them, someone with power and age might see them and join you. If you chose to wait, eventually power will be forced upon you, and you will have to do something; hopefully something good.
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.” -Karen Lamb
Good question.
Edward Webber
- +3
Feb 6 2012: Steve Wozniac and Steve Jobs made the affordable personal computer in Jobs' garage. Great change comes from great vision, not great power.