Pineapple Perfect

It is profound, especially coming from one of the preeminent thinkers of our time. The sentiment is a pointed call not only to find our true passion, but to be bold in defining our own measures of success.

It fits especially well in emerging fields like social entrepreneurship. Standing at the crossroads of social impact and entrepreneurship is exciting and alluring, and, at times undefined, frustrating, and challenging.

“So you mean social media, like Facebook?”, “Oh, right, but how are you going to make money?”, “That’s nice, but really how do you measure impact..is there some kind of a stock exchange?” “Will startups really use new legal structures for social enterprise when the existing ones are so well-defined?” “Yeah, but do you really think social entrepreneurs are going to be able to get funding?” “Honestly, in the long run is it even going to make a difference, after all business is business, right?”

The questions, adapted from many heard and overheard, help to angle and define an emerging field. They remind us that if we measure social entrepreneurs by traditional yardsticks of enterprise or non-profit—they may look like fish climbing trees.

Instead, social innovators have to stand out to fit in. Defining new measures and changing the conversation of what success and failure are keys to reinvention.

And, as per Einstein’s quote, it is important to not try to be something you are not.

Case in point, the pineapple.

A pineapple would make a terrible banana. It’s skin is too tough and prickly. It can’t be peeled with ease. It’s sweetness is accompanied with a sharp tangy taste. It would be the worst banana of the lot.

Thankfully the virtues of a pineapple are not locked away in its failure of being a banana. The beloved unofficial state fruit of Hawaii has found its stride and audience, with over 14M tons grown and sold each year.So the moral, don’t be that guy who judges a fish for not being able to climb a tree. Instead, be the pineapple you were meant to be.