Paige Finn DohertyFounding Partner, Behind Genius · Founding Partner at Behind Genius Ventures

what are the four stages every small idea must go through to become a global phenomenon?

29 Dec 2023 · 1 min

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In this short monologue, the speaker outlines a four‑stage framework that any modest idea must traverse to evolve into a worldwide phenomenon. The stages are presented as a progression of increasing depth of engagement and purpose. First, an Audience is built through one‑way communication, exemplified by a weekly "Startup of the Week" newspaper column. Second, when members of that audience begin interacting, a Community forms; the speaker cites weekly coworking events that grew into the Traction Conference. Third, when the community rallies around a purpose beyond the product or profit, it becomes a Movement. Finally, if the movement sustains rituals and an almost religious faith in its purpose, it transforms into a Cult or Religion, with examples ranging from Christ to CrossFit. The talk emphasizes the importance of moving through each stage deliberately to scale an idea globally.

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This is the framework to every small idea that eventually became a global phenomenon went through these 4 stages. I like to talk in 4s. Audience, people listen to you or buy your product, you have an audience. It's a one-way communication. So the way we built the audience was writing that weekly column on the newspaper called Startup of the Week. It went in print and online. Mm-hmm. Then when your audience comes together to interact with one another on Acadience, It becomes a community. The way we built that community was by hosting weekly events at our coworking space that eventually evolved into becoming the Traction Conference and community. The next phase is when your community comes together to create impact towards a purpose that's beyond your product or profit. It becomes a movement. And then when this movement has undying faith in its purpose through sustained rituals, over time, it becomes a cult or a religion. From Christ to CrossFit.