Guest blog by Lobna Jeribi, IPP ’24
Discovering the Power of Small Steps
Reflecting on my journey through the IPP program, I feel like I’ve been on a quest – not just for policy solutions but for clarity on how change actually happens. I’m no stranger to the messy realities of public policy. What the PDIA approach offered was more than just a methodology; it’s a mindset for tackling complex, everyday challenges.
One of my key takeaways is the value of incremental action. Just as small, thoughtful gestures build trust in our daily relationships, incremental steps build credibility and resilience in policy work. PDIA taught me that change doesn’t need to be grandiose to be meaningful. Real transformation is a marathon of small, intentional strides rather than a sprint.
Translating Complexity into Everyday Language
As I focused on Tunisia’s waste management issues, I realized this field was a microcosm of broader challenges – resource limitations, fragmented data, and stakeholder fatigue. Yet, these weren’t just technical problems; they were everyday problems too. For example, our struggle to track progress on initiatives felt eerily similar to the broader waste data management issues in Tunisia: a lack of coherent, centralized information made it hard to see the big picture. The IPP program has helped me frame these challenges as part of a larger puzzle where every piece has a role, even if it’s unclear at first.
Progress in Unexpected Places
The fishbone diagrams and stakeholder mapping were invaluable tools for making sense of our tangled web of challenges. Working on waste management, I initially expected the toughest issues to involve technical solutions, like data analysis or budget allocation. But what emerged through PDIA was the importance of people – the local authorities, the private sector, and community members.
With every team meeting and feedback loop, I realized that trust was a critical piece often missing from policy conversations. Getting everyone aligned felt like convincing a group of hikers to take the same path through unknown terrain, where each person sees the journey differently.
Applying PDIA in My Work
The lessons from IPP have become guiding principles in my work. For example, I used to feel pressured to offer fast solutions, especially when stakeholders wanted quick wins. Now, I feel comfortable advocating for “small wins” and taking time to experiment. This approach built trust and created a blueprint for future, larger-scale efforts.
Future Steps – Making Complexity Our Ally
Our work often feels like a balancing act, caught between the constraints of resources and the enormity of the needs. PDIA reminded me that the path to success isn’t about avoiding complexity but embracing it and learning to work within it. Now, when a new challenge arises, I see it as another puzzle piece that fits somewhere – if I take the time to find its place.
Words of Encouragement for Fellow PDIA Practitioners
1. Think Small, but Start Somewhere: Small actions create ripples. In policy work, especially in CSO settings, even a modest pilot project can lead to larger change.
2. Stay Curious: Embrace the unknown. The most interesting discoveries often happen when things go “wrong.”
3. Build Connections: Just as in friendships, policy progress relies on trust and collaboration. Don’t be afraid to lean on your network.
Closing Reflections
This IPP journey has given me not only tools but a community of “searchers” – people who share a passion for making complexity work for us, not against us. In a way, PDIA has become part of my everyday toolkit, whether I’m navigating Tunisia’s waste management sector or handling the small but significant challenges in our CSO. Each step is a lesson, each lesson a step toward something meaningful.
This is a blog series written by the alumni of the Implementing Public Policy Executive Education Program at the Harvard Kennedy School. 42 Participants successfully completed this 6-month hybrid program in November 2024. These are their learning journey stories.