Three Essential Traits of Development Entrepreneurs

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One way to describe a Development Entrepreneur is someone who has decided that there is something in his society that needs to be reformed or improved, something that is worth investing so much of his time, energy, and resources. His drive may come from his professional trajectory, personal experience, or other sources. It is definitely not imposed on him; he has made the decision to work on this area with his own free will. He has “self-selected” himself for this path.

(Booth’s book “Aiding Institutional Reform in Developing Countries: Lessons from the Philippines on What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why” introduces a trio of Development Entrepreneurs - Chikiamco, Tiamson, and Sta Ana - and shows how their professional interests brought them to the time and place to influence significant legislation.)

DE’s select areas where they are able to grow professionally, where they can improve their competencies and capabilities.  Moreover, the DE is able to give a personal significance or meaning to his work in this area.

In pursuing his advocacy, the DE has to be wiling to do a lot of unglamorous work. So much what he does is invisible - networking with potential partners and allies, building knowledge and skills in relevant competencies, building social capital, putting people with related interests together. These aren’t the tasks that appear on Consultants’ TORs, or earn awards.  Also, these activities do not tend to yield tangible outputs on a regular basis, and are not the kind of things that appear in typical accomplishment reports. 

DE’s have to be willing to churn consistently for a time without visible effect, knowing that at the right time a congruence of factors will suddenly make it possible to achieve the reforms that he is after.

A modicum of financial independence helps DE’s to function effectively. It allows him to operate independently of the institution that he wants to reform. Having more than one grant to support him helps because it keeps him from being over-dependent on one grant, and having to comply with certain conditions from a grantee that may not be helpful to his reform agenda/strategy.

If you think you might be a DE, look for these three things: 
  1. Is there something that you would like to reform or improve in society, something that you feel strongly enough about to invest your time, energy, and resources?
  2. Are you willing to do the hard work, push on even when you don’t see any immediate results, to grown in your advocacy and find personal meaning in it?
  3. Do you have some level of financial independence and time flexibility to pursue the reform that you think is necessary? (This does not mean having a lot of extra money and time; it’s more about whether you are willing to invest what you can afford).

Comments

  1. PA1June 4, 2018 at 11:34 PM

    So are DE's solely inhabitants of their region or could the three functions be done remotely? What is being done locally to develop these competencies? As one identifies to be a Development Entrepreneur, what are the next steps on the chosen path?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ren SanapoFebruary 1, 2022 at 8:52 AM

      Hi there, apologies for very late response. In the Coalition for Change partnership between The Asia Foundation and the Australian DFAT, there are three learning activities on Development Entrepreneurship: a 2.5-hour Introduction (online), a 4-week Online Course, and a six-month Mentoring Program. Email me at rene.sanapo@asiafoundation.org if you want to know more.

      Pursuing reform requires talking with policy-makers and their influencers. Sometimes this can be done remotely. Sometimes face-to-face communication is needed. In our experience, we have come across reformers at all levels, from local (city or municipality) to national.

      Delete

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