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In 2020, the world marched. People poured into streets to protest racial injustice. Social media feeds turned into anti-racism reading lists. Corporations issued statements and committed billions of dollars to racial equity. It felt like a turning point. Five years later, much of that momentum has faded. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement among Americans has dropped. Companies have gone quiet. Many former allies have disengaged. So what happened? And more importantly, how do we reignite lasting commitment to racial justice? New research from Stanford and Yale offers a clueand a path forward. It comes down to your mindset. The Power of an “Impact Mindset” Researchers surveyed thousands of Americans across racial groups and asked: When thinking about the racial justice movement, what kind of inner dialogue do you have? They identified four different types of strategic mindsets that people can adopt: Impact mindset: How will my actions affect others? Dependency mindset: Do others have to act for my effort to matter? Egocentric mindset: Whats in it for me? Altercentric mindset: What are others doing and how can I follow? The key finding? People who focused on how their actions impact others those with an impact mindsetwere much more likely to take meaningful action in support of racial justice, such as protesting, donating, or organizing. This was true across all racial groups. And critically, those with an impact mindset in 2020 were also more likely to stay engaged eight months later, even after racial justice faded from public attention. In other words, what keeps people committed isnt pressure, guilt, or even passion. Its the belief that they can make a difference in someone elses life. How This Played Out in 2020 Think back to the early months of the 2020 protests. Many white allies didnt just post hashtags. They marched alongside their neighbors, donated to bail funds, or lobbied their employers to examine hiring and retention practices. Why? Often, it was because they saw how the system impacted otherstheir friends, coworkers, and community membersand believed their actions could help shift outcomes for other people. This impact mindset also explains why the engagement wasnt always sustained. When the public spotlight dimmed and the tangible effects became harder to see, many people reverted to questions like Does this still matter? or Is anyone even paying attention? And without the sense that their personal efforts could meaningfully help others, many simply stopped showing up. How Leaders Can Reignite Allyship For companies, community organizers, and movement leaders looking to rebuild momentum, this research offers a clear strategy: frame calls to social action around impact. In the workplace: Rather than telling employees to attend diversity trainings because its required, show how inclusive practices improve outcomes for marginalized colleagueslike higher retention rates, safer team dynamics, or better pathways to leadership. In organizing efforts: Highlight individual stories as evidence of change. Tell people why their effort matters, like When you showed up to this school board meeting, this policy changed. Here’s what that meant for students.” In everyday life: Encourage people to ask, Whose life might be better because I took action today? That simple question helps shift the focus from self-doubt or fatigue to service and solidarity. Lets Make Allyship Sustainable The road to racial justice is long, and sometimes lonely. But the research is clear: people stay engaged when they believe their actions matter to the lives of other people. That belief must be cultivated intentionally. If we want to build lasting movementsin our companies, communities, or countrywe need to lead with impact. Remind people not just of the injustice, but of the difference they can make. The march toward equity doesnt end when the cameras stop rolling. It continues through the quiet, persistent actions of those who choose to care, and those who choose to take action because they know they can help someone else. Thats the mindset that makes change stick.
Category:
E-Commerce
In todays fast-changing world, the most successful leaders do not have all the answers. Theyre the ones who ask the best questions. Yet many leaders get stuck in what I call Zones of Certainty. This is when confidence in their own perspectives can blind them to insights from others. But there is a way for them to open themselves up to new perspectives. Ive developed a framework called the Curiosity Curve, which maps a journey from self-righteousness (I cant stand them!) through tolerance (I think theyre wrong, but Ill hear them out.) to increasing curiosity. The framework draws inspiration from the work of an organization called Braver Angels, which focuses on bridging partisan divides. (Their original model described The Emotional and Intellectual Transformation of De-Polarization.) Moving along the curiosity curve isnt just helpful; it can provide a competitive edge. Curious leaders make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and foster more innovative cultures. But how do we shift from Theyre wrong to I truly want to understand their views? Here are four practical pathways that leaders can use to increase their curiosity: 1. Imagine your way into curiosity The imagining pathway uses curiosity sparksstrategic questions that interrupt our certainty. Ask yourself the following questions: What might I be missing? What challenges might they be dealing with? How might I be impacting them? These questions spark imagination and help shift us from zones of certainty to zones of curiosity. Recognizing what we dont know humbles us and opens the door to new insight. When Satya Nadella became Microsofts CEO, the company was insular and hostile to open-source software. In his book, Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft’s Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone, he asked, What if were wrong about Linux being the enemy? That question catalyzed a transformationMicrosoft embraced open-source, formed new partnerships, and tripled its market value. Start by listing 10 things you dont know about a challenging person, issue, or situation. Dont look for answersjust identify the questions you havent asked. 2. Empathize your way into curiosity This pathway taps emotional intelligence to connect with another persons humanity. While we cant fully inhabit someone elses perspective, reflecting on shared human experiences kindles wonder about their unique viewpoint. This transforms our stance from Theyre wrong or bad to I want to understand. When we lead with the heart, defensiveness falls away, and openness follows. In her autobiography My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi recounted that she wrote letters to the parents of her senior executives, thanking them for the gift of their children. This act came from reflecting on what it must feel like to be a parent watching your child work long hours. That empathy sparked her curiosity about her leaders family lives, which led to more thoughtful conversations and improved well-being and performance. To develop a greater sense of empathy, close your eyes and imagine being in the shoes of someone who frustrates you. What might they be carrying? Write a note youll never send, beginning with I imagine it must be hard to . . . Let empathy create space for curiosity. 3. Experiment your way into curiosity Sometimes, its the behavior that changes the mindset. Even if were feeling skeptical, by acting as if were curiousasking clarifying questions or inviting storieswe create conditions where our real curiosity can emerge. This works because authentic questions lead to richer understanding. As we receive thoughtful answers, we realize how much weve been missing. But dont ask rhetorical or leading questions. Ask what you genuinely dont know. As recounted in Ford Motor Company: The Greatest Turnaround in U.S. History, former Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally introduced weekly meetings where executives were supposed to report issues. Initially, everyone said everything was green, even though the company was in crisis. Rather than accusing anyone, he kept asking, What obstacles are you facing? and What would help you succeed? When one leader finally admitted a problem, Mulally praised the honesty. This transformed Fords culture from fear to collaborative problem-solving. Next time youre sure youre right, ask three story-based questions. Whats been your experience with . . .? How did you come to see it that way? Can you tell me about a time when . . .? And once theyve given their answers, really take the time to listen. Resist the urge to interrupt. 4. Enlist your way into curiosity Sometimes we need help seeing what we cant see. This pathway involves enlisting othersfriends, mentors, even AIto help identify blind spots and spark questions we wouldnt think to ask. Diverse viewpoints accelerate progress along the curiosity curve. A trusted colleagues observation or a mentors challenging question can shift us from certainty to openness in moments. When Mary Barra became GMs CEO during the ignition switch crisis, she brought in advisorsincluding criticsto ask hard questions. One asked, What if the real issue is how information flows inside the company? That reframing led to a revamp of GMs safety systems and ushered in a culture of transparency. To open yourself up to diverse viewpoints, text three people you trust. Im working through [brief description] challenge. What questions should I be asking that Im not? Pick the two that make you most uncomfortable. Thats where your biggest growth likely lies. Choosing your path Curiosity is a choice, and no single path fits every person or moment. A data-driven leader may gravitate to imagining or experimenting. A people-first leader may find empathy more natural. The key is flexibility. The more tools you practice, the easier it becomes to access curiosity when it matters most. Ultimately, the best way to master curiosity is to live it. Surround yourself with people of diverse perspectives. Read widely. Go to places that challenge your worldview. And slow downcuriosity needs breathing room. Try to lookat life as a grand experiment, where every conversation is a chance to discover something unexpected. When curiosity becomes not just a leadership tactic but a way of being, your journey along the Curiosity Curve will become second nature.
Category:
E-Commerce
In my last job, I was fortunate to join Circle as one of the earliest employees. And as blockchain technologies evolved over recent years, edging closer to mainstream adoption, I noticed a deep contradiction has emerged. The transparency that defines public blockchainsthe very feature designed to build trusthas become their Achilles heel. Every transaction on-chain is etched into a public ledger for all to see. This means that user addresses, financial behavior, and asset holdings are exposed permanently and immutably. In traditional financial systems, such data is closely guarded. In crypto, its open by default. This is not just a theoretical concern. The lack of privacy on public blockchains is exposing individuals to real-world risks: profiling, extortion, digital surveillance, and even physical threats. Anyone with a blockchain wallet is a potential targetwhether they are a Ukrainian citizen receiving aid, a whistleblower relying on digital assets for safety, or a consumer simply transacting online. The stakes are escalating. According to Chainalysis, nearly $46 billion worth of crypto was transferred through illicit channels in 2023, with many transactions linked to sanctioned entities. Blockchains radical transparency makes tracing those funds technically feasible, but it also means innocent users may be swept up in guilt-by-association logic, flagged by automated compliance systems, or monitored by adversarial nation-states exploiting open ledgers for intelligence purposes. We are at an inflection point. On one hand, blockchain has evolved from an experimental idea into a foundational layer for decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, cross-border payments, and digital identity. On the other, the absence of privacy threatens to stall its momentum. Without privacy guarantees, Web3 wont scale into a secure, inclusive internet economyit will remain a risky, self-surveilling shadow of its potential. Its not just user safety at stake. Institutional adoption, long seen as the tipping point for cryptos maturation, is lagging in part because privacy solutions are underdeveloped. Financial institutions and enterprises cannot embrace systems that force them to reveal business-sensitive transactions to competitors and regulators alike. Privacy is not the enemy of compliance; it’s a prerequisite for serious engagement. The road ahead The good news? A path forward exists. Recent regulatory tailwindsparticularly in the United Statespoint to a growing willingness to integrate blockchain into the regulated financial system. Lawmakers are increasingly exploring frameworks for stablecoins, digital asset custody, and decentralized finance. And with the emergence of advanced cryptographic tools such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), we now have the technical foundation to reconcile transparency with confidentiality. Zero-knowledge cryptography allows users to prove the validity of informationsuch as identity or solvencywithout revealing the underlying data. In practical terms, this means users can comply with regulations (e.g., AML, KYC) without exposing every transaction to the world. ZKPs are already being piloted by privacy-forward networks and could become the industry standard if policy and investment align. And alignment is possible. In 2024, the European Union began implementing its Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, while Hong Kong and the UAE continue developing regulated environments for digital assets. Yet the U.S. retains a unique advantage: its history of open innovation, its global financial leadership, and its robust civil liberties tradition. If it embraces blockchain privacy not just as a feature but as infrastructureakin to encryption on the internetit can set a global standard. The stakes for leadership are high. In a world defined by rising geopolitical tension, blockchain privacy is becoming a matter of national security. Adversarial governments are already using blockchain analytics to trace and target users, conduct financial espionage, and undermine dissident movements. Without privacy, blockchains risk becoming tools of surveillance rather than instruments of freedom. At the same time, user demand for private, secure financial tools is surging. A recent survey by the Electric Coin Company found that 84% of crypto users consider privacy to be a critical feature of digital finance. And among developers, privacy-preserving technology is one of the fastest-growing areas of investment, according to Electric Capitals 2023 developer report. A host of solutions So what can be done? First, policymakers must move past the false binary of privacy versus compliance. These are not mutually exclusive goals. Clear guidelines that embrace advanced cryptography, establish safe harbors for privacy-preserving innovation, and differentiate between consumer protection and surveillance will enable the next generation of secure digital finance. Second, industry leaders need to elevate privacy to the level of consensus mechanisms, scalability, and user experience. Just as we wouldnt launch a blockchain without validating transactions or securing the network, we shouldnt deploy them without protecting users. Privacy must be a baseline, not a bonus. Finally, public-private collaboration is essential. The early internet thrived because of cooperation between universities, startups, civil society, and government. Blockchain deserves the same collaborative energy. By fostering research, funding privacy innovation, and supporting interoperability standards, the U.S. can lead the world in building a safer, more trustworthy digital economy. In the end, privacy is not a fringe concern. It is the cornerstone of user trust, the foundation of financial inclusion, and the safeguard of democratic values in the digital age. Blockchain has the potential to reshape the global financial systembut only if we build it securely. The time to act is now.
Category:
E-Commerce
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