When you want to bring a big change for the better and you don’t have the power (or authority) to do so, the best you can do is to work on a small change that you can control and have authority over.
Doing something “small” requires little permission, and the courage needed is not so huge. So, start doing the “small thing” that will bring the small change, without permission.
This is a fine place to start.
Bringing a big change is like moving a big rock, or lifting heavy weights. It’s impossible to enact unless you first train yourself to move smaller rocks or lift smaller weights.
Training yourself over a period of time gives you the power to lift heavier weights or move bigger rocks.
To bring a big change you will need big power. Not the power of authority but the power of trust and influence. You cannot build trust and influence with 1,000 or 10,000 people without first building trust and influence with ten people.
Therefore, if you want to bring a bigger change—start small. Seek out the first ten people, then the next ten, and then the next ten. It is not easy and will take time. It always takes time: you will never be able to lift 500 pounds on day 1, nor for that matter on day 500.
Start small and build trust and influence (the real power) over time: the more trust and influence you can build, the bigger the change you’ll be able to bring.