Do today’s headlines pull you toward fear, cynicism, and judgment at breakneck speed? They do for me. So, I chose to slow down—to find a pace where I can listen to my heart and see the horizon. In doing so, I’m discovering stories of humanity woven with open minds, open hearts, and open will. Here's one such story.
When wildfires swept Australia in 2019, Joanne Stone couldn’t shake the feeling that something was calling her to act. She had long been a devoted Agilist—steeped in iteration, adaptation, and systems thinking—but this crisis felt different. Urgent. Personal. Global.
A heartfelt conversation over a long drive with her friend and fellow leadership guide Lyssa Adkins sparked a powerful question:
What if Agilists could apply their skills to respond to emergencies and complexity—not just in organizations, but in society?
That question lit a fire of its own. And when the global pandemic emerged, the question became even more poignant. Joanne embarked on a journey, interviewing professionals from sustainability experts to agilists in sustainability to emergency responders, seeking how agility could address wicked global problems.
🌱 From One Tree to a Forest
Joanne didn’t aim to create a movement; she simply followed threads of curiosity. But these threads wove together into a remarkable tapestry—a global mycelial network of Agilists on a similar quest who shared their curiosity, insights, and a commitment to tangible impact.
Two pivotal seeds sprouted:
Agilists4Sustainability, a linkedIn community and monthly conversations on stories and experiments at the intersection of Agile and regeneration.
Agilists4Planet, a global virtual conference uniting Agilists and sustainability leaders in learning and co-creation.
Their roots gave way to many saplings:
We Hope Magazine, a collaborative publication nourished from collective will.
Hosting of events like The Week, People, Planet & Pastry, and the Movers & Shakers Retreat—each nurturing courage and connection.
Sustainability Incubator Projects (SIPs)—small, focused design sprints harnessing Agile principles to support local causes, sparking a vision for 10,000 SIPs worldwide.
Each initiative isn't just a project—it's an invitation. To collaborate, regenerate, and reimagine our role in a world longing for wholeness.
🌳 Joanne Stone: The Mother Tree
Every thriving forest has a mother tree—a wise, deeply rooted presence nourishing others through unseen networks. In my view, Joanne embodies that tree. Rooted deeply in her values, she quietly and powerfully connects people, creates conditions for growth, and sustains regenerative impact.
Joanne exemplifies what the Transforming Leadership program that I recently completed calls: Be More Tree.
Her collaborative leadership beautifully aligns with the key capabilities I believe are needed today to solve today's wicked problems:
Context – She stepped back to gain perspective, recognizing global patterns and the potential role Agilists could play.
Curiosity – With no grand plan, she trusted curiosity and dynamic learning to illuminate the path forward.
Connection – Understanding her role within a larger ecosystem, she built a global network, uniting diverse voices in shared purpose.
Co-Creation – Initiatives like SIPs and We Hope Magazine emerged from collective experimentation and diverse perspectives.
Composure – Joanne responded thoughtfully, choosing steadiness over reactivity amidst uncertainty.
Commitment – Evident in sustained, heartfelt actions—from global events to local community initiatives.
And while Joanne may be the mother tree, the forest is what gives this movement life.
“When you trust in the team, it can do amazing things.” – Joanne Stone
This trust isn’t just a sentiment—it’s a shared capability cultivated through transparency, purpose, and genuine care.
🌳 Join the Forest
This woven wonder is not one tree—it's the forest being woven. A mycelial network of powerful action, shared purpose, and grounded agility. There's space for you, too:
Follow Agilists4Sustainability on LinkedIn.
Join the next Agilists4Planet conference.
Volunteer or nominate a cause for a SIP.
Host a People, Planet & Pastry conversation.
Or simply ask: What small step can I take, right here, right now?
Change doesn't need to start big—it just needs to start. And together, we can.
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