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The outcome of the U.S. election last week reminded me that assuming rationality among humans is foolish. Ecosystem builders are well equipped to operate in times like these. We know that everything can - and will - change at the drop of a hat. We understand that we don't operate in a well-oiled, command-and-control-style hierarchy but in a complex, ever evolving environment that experiences external shocks and sudden shifts in parameters (such as an election).

Once we accept this reality, we can figure out how to work within this complexity to effect meaningful change in our communities - which is in higher demand now (and for the next four years) than ever.

Luckily, I have an entire podcast season about complex, adaptive systems.

I've been re-reading some of the classics of our field, among them The Rainforest by Victor Hwang and Greg Horowitt. When people tell me that there isn't a playbook for entrepreneurial ecosystem building, I raise my eyebrows: This book teaches us A LOT about the dynamics in ecosystems. On my latest read, these highlights stood out to me:

• Collaboration - the foundation of innovation - is actually unnatural and hard for humans. We are programmed to trust those closest to us (homogeneity) and distrust those farthest away (heterogeneity). We have to consciously work against this notion to be able to co-create with others. (This also gave me pause in light of the election).
• The recipe (culture and mindsets within an ecosystem) is more important than the ingredients (actors, types of capital, etc.). The mantra "recipe over ingredients" is popular in ecosystem building - you can learn more about its source in The Rainforest.
• Keystones are the ideal ecosystem builders: They are
  • Integrative: They reach across boundaries to bring people together.
  • Influential: They convince people to do things they otherwise wouldn't do (without coercion).
  • Impactful: They make things happen.
• Their Rainforest Canvas is an excellent tool to assess your recipe and ingredients!

In case you - like me - feel like losing hope, I want to remind you that it's ok to take time to process and grieve. It takes as long as it takes.

While it would be tempting to give into the despair and withdraw altogether, our communities need us now more than ever. As ecosystem builders, we are well positioned to catalyze local solutions. If the government is counter-acting progress, safety, equality and justice, we must activate our grassroots efforts to make sure our people are ok.

Read on to see how I'm coping, creating a little joy and taking care of myself.

Between my ears

Life, most recently: Things I'm excited about, pondering and trying out:

• I launched my own Bookshop storefront to make it even easier for you to buy books from a local Independent bookshop of your choice! For every purchase they receive a check in the mail with your contribution. Isn't that awesome?
  • You can now find all of my favorite reads - personal and professional - in ONE PLACE! And I update it as I go. You're welcome.
  • If you're Christmas shopping for the bookworms in your life, start there.
• ​Ecosystems for Change is returning! I've been interviewing for four weeks and cannot WAIT to share these conversations with you! In Season 7 we will explore 9 innovation ecosystems in the U.S. that are addressing some of our greatest societal challenges. We go live on February 4, 2025. If you want some early sneak peeks and not miss the launch of season 7, you can sign up for exclusive content (3ish newsletters over the next three months) here:

On my Bookshelf

I just finished Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and Y'ALL! I loved every minute of it! Wholesome, kind and loving. I want to believe that humanity can be this beautiful.

Next on my list is One hundred years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez which we'll discuss at Staunton's next International Book Club (on my birthday!).

If you're as passionate as I am about supporting Independent bookshops, go visit yours for all your reading needs (they'll be thrilled to see you!) or shop online through Bookshop:

Shen-ANIKA-ns

I committed to row 60,000 meters during the month of November. It's called #Rowvember.

As soon as I signed up, I did the math (I love me a good game plan): I would need to put in 15 row sessions (4,000 meters each) to get this done at my pace. I pulled out my google calendar (in the carwash) and put in 15 1-hour slots for this month. I probably won't take an additional 15 trips to the gym but I can add some on to existing workouts and throw in a few extra.

To date, I have rowed 20,500 meters. 39,500 remain over the next two weeks.

One member surpassed 70,000 meters in the first week. Beast.

One member stepped back due to injury.

We're all on our own journey.

I may finish in November. I may give myself an extension until I leave for Germany in mid-December. The reward, to me, is moving my body more than I would have otherwise.

That's why the occasional challenge is so powerful: I appreciate the importance of consistency. But consistency can also quickly become monotony. Break it up and light a little fire in you!

Other challenges I have done in the past:

• 100 burpees/day for a month
• ​Pure Roots Nutrition's Sugar cleanse (starts in January)
• ​Fired up and focused challenge by Rachel Cook
• push-up challenge (start with 1 and add 1 rep each day)

If you feel a little stuck or uninspired, pick a challenge (and ideally a buddy to do it with). Systems change is the work of a lifetime. A marathon. Finding a little sprint here and there makes life a lot more interesting.

If you try it out, I'd love to hear what you're learning about yourself!

On my radar

Here are events to keep an eye on:

• November 14-15: Innovation Ecosystem Summit (Virtual. I plan on being there!)
• May 2025: Startup Champions Spring Summit in Nevada (just announced!)
• February 12-15 : USASBE 2025 in Las Vegas, NV
• April 6-9: InBIA’s ICBI39 in Philadelphia, PA
• April 7-9: Main Street Now! in Philadelphia, PA
• May 2025: Startup Champions Spring Summit in Nevada (just announced!)
• June 2-4: Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC 2025) in Indianapolis, IN

I will be back in your inbox in two weeks!

In camaraderie,

Anika