Moms Demand Action Founder on What It Takes to Lead Change

In this episode of the HBR IdeaCast, Allison Beard and Adi Ignatius introduce a conversation with Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, about effecting change in organizations and society. Watts shares her personal journey from an enraged and saddened mom after the Sandy Hook shooting to a leader pushing for gun safety legislation. She discusses recognizing when a problem merits action, aligning desires with values and abilities, building coalitions, and persevering through challenges. Watts emphasizes the importance of community, reframing losses as learning opportunities, and incrementalism in achieving long-term goals. She also highlights the power of storytelling, combining data with personal anecdotes, and adapting strategies to different audiences.