TrimTabs #1 – Small Actions, Big Change

Hello TrimTabs,

Welcome to this first edition. I’m so pleased you’ve decided to join me.

This newsletter is influenced by the philosophies of one of my heroes, Buckminster Fuller.

The TrimTab is the smallest part of a ship’s rudder system. Bucky identified that through a tiny and seemingly insignificant adjustment, the TrimTab can redirect the course of an entire ship.

So when we feel overwhelmed and don’t feel we have any power, remember that small actions can create huge impact.

And we may not immediately see what we’ve set in motion.

This is a space to explore those subtle but powerful shifts in how we nurture what truly matters. Bucky considered himself a TrimTab through curiosity, experimentation and connection. I’d like to carry that philosophy forwards in the local area.

Sense-making Sustainability

Right now, the world feels like an endless sea of complexity, driven by fear.

I believe we have become deeply disconnected from ourselves, each other and with nature. But the further we go inwards, the more impact we can have going outwards. The path ahead isn’t clear but if we act with love and compassion, I believe we can have hope.

Navigation isn’t about predicting every wave, it’s about finding our way together. And we can’t find our way if we don’t stop, look up and question our belief systems.

And the best way to look up, is to change our perspective. Our view is limited by what we can see and imagine. We don’t dare to question the way things are or dream of how they could be.So in much of my coaching and consultancy work, I encourage people to think in systems.

All systems are connected, but we often only think in very literal ways (joining dots in linear processes). I encourage people to physically think in 3D, taking a flat process and pulling the perspective into a ‘helicopter’ mode that can see the interconnections differently – hence my slight obsession with sacred geometry, tetrahedrons and my poor attempts at origami!

To take this one step further, I’ve added a 4th dimension - time.

I’ve created a simple framework to help leaders and teams stay oriented: The 4D Framework.

It’s a way to look beyond the dogma and focus on Dreaming, Designing, Doing and Daring.

Dreaming – Exploring bold ideas and future possibilities for sustainability, leadership, and transformation. This is where imagination comes alive.

Designing – Turning visionary thinking into tangible frameworks, strategies and tools that help businesses and individuals navigate change.

Doing – Taking purposeful action, experimenting and learning - events, business shifts or personal growth.shifts or personal growth.

Daring – Becoming playfully disobedient, embracing uncertainty and daring to go with the truth to lead with courage

Each edition of TrimTabs will touch on one or more of these, with practical ideas to make meaningful moves.

Small Shift, Big Impact: A thought for this week

So to get things moving:

“What’s the smallest shift I can make today that aligns with my deeper purpose”?

It might be a conversation, a commitment, or just going with your intuition.

Trimtabs don’t work by force, they have their own integrity. I’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s one small shift you’re making right now that you hope will have a lasting impact?

Until next time, keep adjusting with intention,

Nick