May 14th was a day to look back on 10 years of Advantaged Thinking. As I noted in my introductory speech to the event, it was a time to Celebrate achievements, Reflect on learning, Inspire through and be inspired from our personal stories, Share and socialise with others, and Progress a collective vision to help young people achieve Power and Purpose. While I’m not a regular fan of acronyms, ‘CRISP’ felt a good description of the event’s structure and pace. Getting more than 100 people from around the world to attend an event on a Friday afternoon showed that the Advantaged Thinking 'crisp' has a popular taste.
For me, there were 5 takeaways from the experience. They capture what I think Advantaged Thinking has taught me most over the years. I might be the founder of the Advantaged Thinking concept, but I’m as humble an apprentice of its asset-based philosophy as anyone else. There is always more to learn. While I can easily think of a 100 takeaways, I recall a past suggestion that had there been just 5 tests they would have been easier to remember on one hand. So, with that in my ever-ageing mind, these are my one-handed insights:
1) It’s international. Just follow the thread: Foyers originated in France, where the first steps to Advantaged Thinking were also taken in our 2009 writing on Open Talent. The first asset-based programme at Foyer Federation called Working Assets came thanks to a research trip in 2005 exploring asset-based provision in America. Advantaged Thinking was first uttered at a stage in Greece in 2011. We learned a lot from the capabilities approach and thriving focus on assets in the work of the International Development sector. Some of the most innovative early practice in Advantaged Thinking was developed in Australia, following my 2 week secondment with an organisation in Melbourne, which led to the first Foyers to be designed from an Advantaged Thinking focus – with the latest service opening just this year in Sydney. As we heard at the May 14th event, the energy for Advantaged Thinking continues through the inspiring work of Colony 47 in Tasmania and Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) in Melbourne. Following the return of a staff member from BSL to Ireland, Advantaged Thinking has now started to grow in Dublin, forming an integral part of Northside Partnership’s community work and strategy. There has also been work in the Netherlands where the impact of Advantaged Thinking has stimulated various initiatives with young people from Utrecht to Groningen. The UK network of Foyers and allies are part of a global family. When travel opens up again, remember to go Advantaged Thinking class to connect with others in solidarity.
2) It’s universal. Danny Sutton from Colony47 spoke for many when he emphasised that Advantaged Thinking is not just an approach that works for young people, but something that applies to all people. The principles of believing in, investing in, working with and involving people while talking about and understanding them in positive ways applies to any community – and the point of test 7 is to keep challenging the status quo to make that our social norm. Those organisations like Colony47 working to apply Advantaged Thinking across all their services promote an important truth that Advantaged Thinking in its broadest reference of positive capability should be the optimum condition for all life.
3) It’s ambitious. What shone through in the presentations and conversations at the May 14th event was the ambition that as people and organisations we have to do more and better – whether that means increasing reach and impact or trialling new innovation. That passion wasn’t just down to individual practitioners. It was also evident in the language of funders and commissioners, whose experience of Advantaged Thinking and willingness to advocate for its funding was wonderful to hear. Advantaged thinking has always been about removing the bar to aspiration, not just raising it. We’re all as ambitious for its impact as we are passionate about its cause. Bottling the ambition to share with others is an important part of the Advantaged Thinking campaign.
4) It’s generous. More than anything else, what enabled Advantaged Thinking to reach out to so many people and organisations over the last decade was a generosity of spirit that came directly from Jane Slowey’s leadership, that the Advantaged Thinking IP should be built as an open road for pioneers to drive down rather than a toll-gate baring access. Our one ask has always been simple: do good with it and remember to bring the good home. Most people have been true to that spirit. One or two organisations ran off to benefit themselves, but the majority have contributed back through the same generosity of spirit that our values-led sector thrives from. For those who keep returning, we salute your authenticity and spirit.
5) It’s purposeful. Listening to the wisdom of Sufina Ahmad from John Ellerman Foundation on our funder panel, I was reminded of the importance of how strategy and tactics helps us to sustain good ideas. Advantaged Thinking always needs a clear purpose in mind, but it also depends on the purposeful action of sound leadership to invest in the right things that help to build for the long term. It’s encouraging to see the Foyer Federation’s new Home for Advantaged Thinking strategy begin to do that. Which takes me to my final insight: Advantaged Thinking for me now is not about the last ten years, but the years that lie ahead. Its future lies not just in the hearts of those enjoying the event on May 14th but the hearts outside we are yet to know through new connections and adventures. Advantaged Thinking will always bring abundance to life. It’s our now and tomorrow. Let’s do it!
With thanks to Foyer Federation, Your Housing Group, and all the speakers and attendees who made May 14th such a wonderful moment.
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