WeRobotics: The Power of Local
Editorial Note: All great sustainable innovators seem to follow a similar path - dream big, start small and scale fast. However their journeys cannot be more unique. Here is our interview with Sonja Betschart, Co-Founder & CEO of WeRobotics.
Source: WeRobotics
Sonja Betschart, Co-Founder & CEO of WeRobotics
Q: What is your vision for a more sustainable world?
A: I deeply believe in 2 things:
1. Knowledge is power, and
2. The power of local and a "bottom-up approach".
In my many work experiences, the one constant element I see is that the best solutions always are "bottom-up", meaning the best ideas and solutions to tackle challenges come from the very people who face these challenges. Empowering the people facing challenges to take action, to have access to the knowledge, leadership opportunities and means needed that allows them to implement their own solutions will not only allow for the most fitting and adapted solutions, but also for independence and sustainability. In addition, a bottom-up approach will always create "positive ripples", meaning it will inspire others to find solutions and take action, and contribute in their own way to a more sustainable, better and fairer world.
Q: What was your first step towards building a better world?
A: It was actually 3 first steps:
1. Identifying an idea and translating it into a vision, mission and plan
2. Sharing the idea with others. This allowed the idea to be challenged, to be reframed and adapted to a joint vision and mission, and find teammates and partners to take the idea forward.
3. Dream big, start small! Move forward in small steps, to learn ("fail fast") and adapt the plan forward based on feedback and learnings.
Q: What challenges did you face?
A: The main obstacle I personally faced was finding the right people who share my beliefs and values to build towards a better future. While I had many ideas, most of them did not materialise as I haven't been able to find the right people to collaborate with and put these ideas into action. I deeply believe in the African saying of "Alone you go fast, together you go far". While I might have interesting ideas, they will lead nowhere if I cannot share them, reframe them and implement them with like-minded colleagues and partners.
Q: How did you overcome your biggest challenge(s)?
A: My favorite way of overcoming challenges is through "Co-Creation". Co-Creation is such an enriching experience as it draws upon collective intelligence. Done methodically, it allows to involve a large diversity of stakeholders in any phase of the process (from ideation to iteration to implementation). And it allows to identify the colleagues, partners and supporters that share our vision, mission and most importantly our values to turn ideas into action.
Q: What is your biggest achievement so far?
A: The speed of the organic growth of our Flying Labs network and the diversity of dedicated change makers it brings together. Having organically grown from 3 to 27 Flying Labs in under 3 years, and this fully by demand from local experts with so many different backgrounds, is for me the best and most beautiful confirmation that we are on the right path. Another important achievement is that we continue adapting our model and reframe our mission as we move ahead, which allows us to constantly re-evaluate the best path forward (instead of getting stuck on a chosen path without asking ourselves if this is actually still the best path).
Q: What keeps you moving forward?
A: Listening to my heart and opening my soul and eyes to the beauty surrounding me. One of my favorite saying is "There is no set path. Just follow your heart". I draw my inspiration from the many amazing people in my environment: my family, my friends, my colleagues, our deeply kind partners and the many wonderful people I meet and cross paths in my activities. Seeing them invest their hearts, hands and brains into making the world a better place, all in their own ways and with the means they have at their disposal (which for many is very limited) gives me the courage and strength needed to keep on moving when times get tough.
Q: What are the biggest lessons you have learnt?
A: The biggest lessons I have learnt in life have all come from facing difficult moments (from serious health issues to losing loved-ones or jobs). Through many experiences, none of them comfortable, I learnt that the only constant thing in life is change. Accepting this fact allows me to accept change at its right value (instead of opposing it). While change is often uncomfortable and full of hardship, it brings so many new opportunities and chances to improve, to start over. Looking back at the many tough moments in my life, I am grateful for each one of them as they have allowed me to become a better person and make my life more fulfilling and beautiful.
Q: What’s next?
A: We do not only want to keep on expanding our network of Flying Labs and support them in becoming self-sustaining in all ways, we also want to create a systems change. However, tackling traditional systems and creating positive change within these systems is a complex undertaking that needs multi-year and multi-stakeholder investments, both in financial and human terms. Others can help us identifying and contributing to these resources. Feel free to reach out to get involved.