Just like a mountain expedition team that has weaker members, it feels like we are being held back ....as we take one or two steps forward up the slippery slope, we end up losing a step as we lose grip—or slip. This has the effect have taking our best talent to continually go back and help the folks slipping, before being able to take the next positive step forward, So the question is: "How do we build a stronger team?"

How does this metaphor relate to what I am trying to do to move us forward overall ?

Given that we are not making the rate of change we need to and also given that our brightest talent appears to be losing hope or energy to move us to a more enlightened and sustainable place, the core issue for me becomes one of "leverage."

How do we get the 1-5% of current designers who are leading the profession to pass on the skills to the remaining 95% plus ...and move on to the bigger challenge ahead? I think far too many of this precious group of talented folks are spending time saying the same things they did 5 to 10 years earlier, rather than reaching for new horizons.

Without being disrespectful to folks that have been doing this forever, the recent "green building "movement is about 10 years old. It clearly needs re-generation as the leaders and visionaries need to create the Next Generation of ideas, methods, examples and results.

The power of this group alone that is meeting in NY next week has the capability of a 10,000 "X" increase in performance. Whether we achieve it, in my view will depend on if we are able to find ways to pass on the skills and knowledge to other's we have learned to this point....and begin a new process of learning and understanding. We need a step change function in the advancement of our buildings. Change is, I believe, a 3 step process:

• Step 1--stop doing what we are doing.
• Step 2--wander around in the forest...sometimes lost…but searching for the new direction through experimentation.
• Step 3--begin doing the new thing.

I think we need to move from step 1 to step 2 to begin the process.

Ultimately the question really becomes..."do we have what it takes?"

Do we ...have the intelligence to create solutions to reach our outcome?

Do we...have the passion and heart to keep us honest and devoted to our values and beliefs?

And finally—do we have the fire in our belly to get it done?

I truly believe we have the passion and the intellect to make huge changes in the next 5 to 10 years...but we need the fire in our belly to deliver on the promise. For me, it is not optional.