Who drives transformation in society? How do they do it?
In this compelling book, Roger Martin and Sally Osberg describe how social entrepreneurs target systems that exist in a stable but unjust equilibrium and transform them into entirely new, superior, and sustainable equilibria. All of these leaders develop, build, and scale their solutions in ways that bring about the truly revolutionary change that makes the world a fairer and better place.
The book begins with a probing and useful theory of social entrepreneurship, moving through history to illuminate what it is, how it works, and the nature of its role in modern society. The authors then set out a framework for understanding how successful social entrepreneurs actually go about producing transformative change. With both depth and nuance, Martin and Osberg offer rich examples and personal stories and share lessons and tools invaluable to anyone who aspires to drive positive change.
Getting Beyond Better demonstrates how and why meaningful change actually happens in the world and provides concrete lessons and a practical model for businesses, policymakers, civil society organizations, and individuals who seek to transform our world for good.
The compelling new book about social entrepreneurship by Roger Martin and Sally Osberg
Want to start reading now? Check out the free Introduction chapter.
Join the conversation at #GetBeyondBetter.
Join the authors for in-person conversations! See if they’re coming to a city near you.
Did you read the book? Submit a review on Amazon.
Interested in ordering in bulk for your staff or students? For discounted bulk orders, please contact Lindsey Warren Dietrich at lindsey.dietrich@hbr.org.
"Roger Martin and Sally Osberg have written a must-read on how social entrepreneurs are changing the way we ‘make the future’ to deliver bigger, better results.”
KATHY CALVIN
PRESIDENT & CEO, UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION
“Through the stories of status quo–shifting entrepreneurs, including two of my heroes, Paul Farmer and Molly Melching, this powerful book shows what more equitable societies could look like—and what we can all do to make that new normal a reality.”
MELINDA GATES
CO-CHAIR, BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION
"Social entrepreneurship is a powerful vehicle for positive societal impact, but to exploit it successfully we must first understand what it is and where it has been done well.”
TIM BROWN
PRESIDENT & CEO, IDEO, AUTHOR, CHANGE BY DESIGN
"Poverty, worsening income-wealth-opportunity disparity, and climate change are threatening the world.”
MUHAMMAD YUNUS
FOUNDER, GRAMEEN BANK, FATHER OF MICROCREDIT & SOCIAL BUSINESS, WINNER OF THE 2006 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
“The stories in this book do a tremendous service, not only by exposing us to the work being done by social entrepreneurs who are creatively and relentlessly seeking solutions to existing evils, but by paving the way for even more copycat solutions among those dreaming to change the world.”
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON
CO-FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, HUFFINGTON POST
"Getting Beyond Better is both a good read and an excellent illustration of the real potential of social entrepreneurship to change the world. That's something we should all embrace in these uncertain times."
Matt Sinclair, Philanthropy News Digest
"…an accessible theory and workable framework for developing, building and scaling solutions that transform unjust systems and drive positive change."
David Slocum, Forbes
"[This book] should be one that is not just read as an explanation and valuation of social entrepreneurship but also as a system check for this field and where it belongs in the overall universe of proposed solutions to tackling the world’s most pressing challenges."
Alliance Magazine
"…a riveting and instructive read."
Jack Covert, 800-CEO-READ
"It’s a phenomenon so new we don’t even know how many there are, let alone how they do what they do. Which is why Roger Martin and Sally Osberg recently published what may be the first book to document the practices of social entrepreneurs, Getting Beyond Better. You couldn’t ask for better guides.”
Rick Spence, Financial Post
Roger L. Martin has written many award-winning books, including Playing to Win (with A.G. Lafley), as well as numerous articles in Harvard Business Review and other leading journals and newspapers. He is former dean of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. He has been on the board of the Skoll Foundation since its formation in 1999.
Sally Osberg is President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. Under Sally’s leadership, the Foundation has invested in more than 100 ventures led by social entrepreneurs active on five continents; created the annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship; and brokered cutting-edge partnerships with organizations such as the Sundance Institute and the Social Progress Imperative.
