Switch

When faced with a difficult problem, the natural instinct is to search for flaws, diagnose weaknesses, and dwell on what’s broken. Yet real breakthroughs often come from flipping the question: what is already working? Bright spots—those rare but real examples of success within the current situation—become powerful guides for broader change. They prove that the challenge isn’t insurmountable and that solutions already exist within reach. Focusing on bright spots transforms the energy of a group. Instead of sinking into frustration about failures, people begin to look for practices worth replicating. For example, if a few teams are thriving under the same conditions where others struggle, the key is to uncover what they’re doing differently. These stories provide concrete models that others can adopt, shifting the focus from theory to lived evidence. Bright spots also carry emotional weight. They show the elephant that change is not only possible but already happening. For the rider, they provide a clear, rational model to follow, removing ambiguity and decision fatigue. By concentrating on what works and spreading those practices, the cycle of negativity is broken, and a culture of solutions takes root. In this way, bright spots become the seeds of transformation, turning isolated wins into a movement of lasting change.