Do You Dare to (World) Dominate?

It pays to think and act like a leader who dominates an important space in the world.

I am curious about world domination. It conjures a negative image in the mind of most people - dominant leaders, empire builders, leaders who extract and are concerned with their own success at the expense of others.

And, it is hard to think about world domination. Yet, I think we should.

Not to be the dominant leader over people.

Rather, to be the very best in the world at what we do.

World domination has historically meant control and power, often wielded by a few at the expense of many. However, in today’s interconnected world, where the most significant trends, technologies, and threats originate from anywhere, it can take on a new meaning: ordinary individuals leading to solve problems and create new socioeconomic and environmental possibilities that traditional leaders shy away from.

Personally, I am not motivated by world domination as an industrial-era type role with personal gains in status, power, and influence, but rather to be world-class at enabling more leaders in more places to solve problems that go unmet and unsolved by the status quo, and to do so in commercially smart and sustained way.

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

We know that when ambitious goals are set, greater outcomes are achieved. This is the essence of Moonshot thinking - setting bold, visionary goals that seem almost impossible. By aiming high, we push beyond conventional limits and achieve extraordinary results.

Moonshot thinking has led to breakthroughs like the internet, renewable energy solutions, and even space travel. It encourages us to think big and tackle grand challenges, fostering innovation and progress. In business, it secures positive-sum outcomes, shifting leadership past zero-sum, winner-takes-all models. It pays to think and act big in a win-way way.

“I know it sounds crazy, but every time I have made a decision that is best for the planet, I have made money.” - Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia

Throughout history, we have examples of ordinary people achieving greater impact than traditional leaders in both business and politics. They serve to inspire and stretch perceptions of (world) domination.

• Those without formal power can drive significant change: Malala Yousafzai, as a young girl, stood up for the right to education in Pakistan. Despite facing life-threatening danger, she sparked a global movement advocating for girls’ education, ultimately becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Grassroots leadership can tackle issues ignored by mainstream politics: Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist, founded the Green Belt Movement to address deforestation and women’s rights. Starting with small, local tree-planting initiatives, Maathai’s efforts grew into a powerful force for environmental conservation and women’s empowerment, earning her a Nobel Peace Prize.

• Innovative approaches can emerge from outside traditional power structures: Anshu Gupta, founder of Goonj, an Indian NGO focused on turning urban waste into resources for rural development. Through mobilising communities and leveraging local solutions, Gupta addressed pressing issues like sanitation, education, and disaster relief.

Where World Domination is Business as Usual

Aiming for world domination is standard in many big tech markets. There is typically room for one or a few dominant players due to factors such as network effects, economies of scale, and technological innovation. For example, Amazon has established itself as the dominant force in e-commerce, leveraging its vast resources and logistics infrastructure to outpace competitors and expand into new markets. Similarly, Google has solidified its position as the primary player in online search and digital advertising by use of superior algorithms and a wide range of services that create a network effect making it challenging for new entrants to compete effectively.

Here, a leadership mindset of world domination is the norm. While a number of big tech business models are zero-sum, it is fascinating, valuable-even, to observe the power of intention to be the best in the world.

Soft Power for World Domination

There’s an updated kind of world domination - one that prioritises problem-solving over power, collaboration over control. It’s driven by a style of leadership that fosters solutions in areas neglected by conventional leaders. Ordinary people can become extraordinary leaders, transforming their businesses, industries, communities, and beyond. No invitation is required. No formal training is necessary.

World domination, redefined, is not about ruling others but about unleashing the potential within everyone to create positive change. By embracing this mindset, we can solve the world’s most pressing problems, create sustainable businesses, and build a better future for all.

In many circles, it is not a safe space to talk about ambitious goals for world domination. And yet, we need next, better leaders in more places. What is it for you:

Do you dare to (world) dominate?

What is the problem or possibility that matters most to you?

Do you think and act like a leader who dominates an important space in the world?

Further Reading:

• ‘Global Amplifiers: Strategies to Act and Think Bigger in a Changing World’ by Sophie Krantz - In this short e-book, Global Amplifier #24 asks: What If You Were The Globally Dominant Player? (Download Here).

• ‘What Will You Get Out of Bed For?’ by Sophie Krantz, on ExO Insight (Link Here)