Using reverse engineering to counter an ass-backwards system.

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by Jim Smith

I think Bill Clinton gets it.  I watched him recently in an interview on CNN with Larry King where part of the discussion focused on his work with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).  Larry asked President Clinton what the most important lesson was he learned since the inception of CGI in 2005 and he responded:

“That you can make a difference, because intelligence and effort and dreams are even — are equally distributed throughout the world. But systems investment and opportunity aren’t, and that people who are given the chance to make something of their lives and to rebuild their countries and communities will more often please you than disappoint you if they have a system where there is a predictable connection between the effort they make and the result they get.”

EXACTLY!

A s someone who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, I completely agree with President Clinton-it is the predictable nature of what you “put in” and what you “get out” that provides the underpinning for the “you can be anything you want to be” speech that so many kids are bombarded with on a regular basis.   Really, how?  What’s the path from the ghetto to Wall Street? That’s the question, how do I become an Investment Banker, Doctor or Curator?  Who shows me these role models-what qualifications do I need?  How do I even know these professions exist? 

Individuals who grew up in households with significant earning potential generally don’t live in the hood for obvious reasons.  They live in communities around other people who have significant earning potential and enjoy great schools, low crime and their kids have access to a diverse set of professionals to emulate.   These are the attributes of “socio-economics” that define the haves and have-nots-those whose networks provide the systems and resources to make regeneration a predictable process and those who do not.  I have lived on both sides of this coin and have come to conclude that it is possible to change any circumstance-that is my personal testimony-but significant change is no easy undertaking.  Clinton emphasized that most in need are motivated to change their personal circumstances but often the obstacles that they face or the lack of a defined pathway overshadows the ambitions.  In essence, who doesn’t want to live in a community with low crime, great schools, nice houses, have disposable income and a sense of security about their future?  That’s human ambition and it does not belong to any one group of people.  So why do the disparities in socio-economics persist if everyone is equally motivated to succeed?  Maybe we have to look at some who have made this transition to get a better understanding of the task at hand to change your circumstances.

Chris Rock in his recent stand-up “Kill The Messenger” discussed how he lives in a very affluent community in Alpine, NJ that has only three other blacks amongst hundreds of residents-Mary J. Blige, Jay Z and Eddie Murphy-all individuals who have achieved monumental success and are arguably in the top 10% for their individual crafts.  Chris juxtaposed this to his next door neighbor who is a dentist-not in the top 10%, but just a regular dentist.  And here we begin to see in action the discrepancy in the systems.  Chris’ point is that if you’re someone who comes from the hood you have to be a superstar to achieve the same level of success as your counterparts, “the haves” who only need to be average.  “Do you know what a Black man would have to do to move into my neighborhood…he would have to invent teeth”.  This is the practical outcome when you lack the systems and processes that deliver predictable outcomes-”have nots” who succeed today do it through herculean efforts and are truly superstars at what they do.  Is that fair?  Of course not, but life’s not fair and you have to play the hand you’re dealt and learn the game quickly.

The focus on my work is to level the playing field by developing technology and systematic processes that deliver predictable results and are based on sound economic principles.  This is the essence of the Kinetic Potential Mentoring System, to provide the technology, processes and roadmap to help navigate what is for many a monumental journey.   The reality is that the process of graduating from high school, identifying a college to attend, obtaining a scholarship, selecting a major and securing a career with high earning potential is not rocket science.  But without a guide or a mentor to show you the way, without predictable systems, hey, it might as well be.  Clinton is right, ambition is a human trait and if we utilized the resources available today in a more systematic and efficient manner, we would produce better outcomes.   That’s why we developed the Computer Assisted Mentoring System and we are excited about its prospects to significantly impact the lives of the have nots throughout the US

But we have learned that developing a system with predictability is not enough as my colleague Vik Kothari wrote in a recent blog posting-”I am not Complaining”.  Our students live in environments where the glass ceiling is defined by the four corners of their city blocks-and their attitudes towards education and work ethic leave much to be desired.  The sense of entitlement is remarkable-is this generational or socio-economic?   I’m not sure and I think it would be fair to say that it’s likely a combination of the two.  How do we break out of the pervasive cycle that has become an acceptable expectation of underperformance, entitlement and increasing negative youth outcomes (i.e., high school drop-outs, teen-age pregnancy and criminal activity); all of which limit upward mobility and continue to plague our communities?  As with any other significant change that is engrained …we must first address the self-esteem and motivation issues that limit the belief that “I can be anything” and provide examples of individuals that have come from the same socio-economic conditions that have successfully made the transition-the superstars.  Today’s youth need role models and mentors who have overcome the obstacles without the requisite systems in place.   We have to raise the expectations of our students to WANT MORE. DO MORE. BE MORE.  That is our slogan for the 2008-2009 academic year.

We believe that providing a predictable framework and the resources required to support demonstrable change is a critical catalyst to reversing decades of underperformance but not a sufficient solution without the involvement of citizens within the community to reach out and challenge the coming generations to fulfill their Kinetic Potential. 

There are many ways to challenge our young people to do better, ours is but one.  What are you doing?

This story is filed under: Have You Checked the Children?

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