Having an impact... but what does that really mean?

March is here, the buds are bursting, the birds are singing.. a perfect setup to talk about impact.

We hear the word everywhere: impact companies, impact projects.. but what does it really mean?

A few years ago, I left a large corporation because selling bottles of water for the rest of my life made me cringe. I wanted to contribute differently, feel useful. Back then, I was angry at "the system," frustrated by the inertia of change.

Looking back, I now understand: the world is complex, nothing is just black or white. Yes, big corporations have a massive impact, but they are also slow-moving machines.. just like many things in life. We know change is needed, but activating it is another story.

Today, I mostly see that impact happens on multiple levels. Connecting worlds, avoiding boxes, building bridges - that's how we shift things.

Impact isn't about revolutionizing everything; it's about choosing your battles and moving forward, little by little.

It starts with those around you: as a citizen, consumer, colleague, or friend.

At its core, having an impact means taking care. Of others, of the world, of yourself.

Ah, and Bella recently invited me to talk about JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) on her new podcast. It was both an intimidating and fun experience.. :) You can listen to us here 🎙️

4 QUESTIONS TO JÉROME

Jérôme and I went to the same school, but it’s in Barcelona where we really got to know each other. Both of us are independent, so we supported each other, exchanged advice... and I quickly came to admire his work. Besides being a great guy, he’s a producer and filmmaker: with Pixel Stories, he tells stories through films to highlight impactful projects and raise awareness about causes that matter. I asked him a few questions about what it means to have an impact.

Impact is a word we hear everywhere, but how would you define it from a filmmaker’s perspective?

Being an impact-driven organization means identifying one or more societal problems and deciding to act in order to provide a solution that truly improves the situation. That’s the ‘project management’ definition, with a focus on social or environmental utility.

From my perspective as a filmmaker, what interests me in impact - and what I try to highlight in my films - is individual transformation. The kind that directly affects beneficiaries facing challenges like disability, professional integration, or school dropout. My job is to show how an organization, actor, or system can implement solutions to help them overcome these difficulties, and most importantly, to observe the long-term effects.

Impact, unlike results, cannot be summarized in numbers: “We’ve helped X thousand people, organized this many events, etc.” What matters to me is capturing and telling the stories of what truly and deeply changes, even if it’s difficult to measure.

We often say that to raise awareness, you need to inspire rather than make people feel guilty. How do you find the right balance in your films?

It’s true that some organizations or filmmakers use guilt, but that’s not my approach. I believe everything has its place in the world, but for me, what really drives action is desire.

When you’re inspired and convinced by a subject, you take action because your motivation is stronger. Fear or stress might push you to act, but often without clarity or deep intention.

My method is simple: I tell the stories of those directly affected by these issues. By adopting their point of view, I let the audience immerse themselves in their reality and naturally develop empathy. It’s not up to me to tell people if they’re doing things right or wrong, but rather to allow them to see the other side of a situation and connect with it emotionally.

If someone wants to contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world but doesn’t know where to start, what advice would you give?

Two answers. First, the first step is super simple: you don’t need to get involved five times a week with an NGO to have an impact. It starts with small actions around you. For example, if no one in your building talks to each other, try to create some connection. Impact always starts at an accessible scale, with the people you already know.

Second, there’s no one way to have an impact. There are a thousand ways to feel useful: through your job, an NGO, local engagement, a public service role, activism... The key is to find a form of involvement that resonates with you. You shouldn’t force it, or it won’t last. But once you’ve found what motivates you, everything becomes more natural.

For those looking for resources, there are communities and networks like MakeSense or Benenova, offering engagement paths.

Last question, the one I always ask: what inspires you today?

Two things stand out to me about the people who inspire me: determination and optimism.

First, determination to move forward despite obstacles. I see it in my girlfriend, in friends, in committed entrepreneurs.. And often, I think, "I wish I could be as determined as they are on certain issues."

Second, optimism. It’s a quality that fascinates me because today, with everything wrong in the world, it’s easy to fall into pessimism. Yet optimism is a powerful driver: it allows you to imagine solutions, not impose barriers on yourself, and move projects forward that otherwise wouldn’t exist.

And, by the way, I’m going to be a dad soon. That’s pretty inspiring too.

BITS AND BOBS TO GET INSPIRED THIS MONTH

• Check out the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations:

• Look into Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle; it's a valuable tool to think about impact. He invites you to ask yourself WHY and reminds us that people don’t follow what we do, but why we do it.

• Listen to Magnolias for Ever - I love this poetic touch from Ben over Cloclo's springtime flow 🎶🎶

  
  

OLI-REFLECTION

In this month of March, as spring is on its way, I invite you to ask yourself a question (one I recently gave to my students): what is YOUR definition of impact?

One clue: What, in your opinion, isn’t right in the world today and what would you like to change? Whether in your personal life, professional life, or the world around you.

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

💌