“Learn from the people
Plan with the people
Begin with what they have
Build on what they know
Of the best leaders
When the task is accomplished
The people all remark
We have done it ourselves.”
~Lao-Tzu Tao Te Ching
Positive Deviance is grounded in the belief that community transformation can be realized by the discovery of innovations and wisdom that already exist within a community. Positive deviants are the individuals or groups with the same resources and challenges in a community, but who have successful strategies enabling them to provide better solutions than their peers.
The Power of Positive Deviance is an incredible book which showcases success stories of innovators who are tackling some of the largest global problems. In Vietnam, a 30-50% reduction of childhood malnutrition in over 41 communities worldwide arose from sharing the practices of families, with similar resources, who were able to keep their children healthier.
Positive Deviance is a valuable approach for any changemaker who is trying co-create solutions with a local community. It demonstrates that it is possible to find solutions today before all the parts of the problem are addressed. Check out here for a basic field guide of the positive deviance approach, facilitator tips, feedback questions, and more.
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