In the social sector, we often talk about capacity—do we have enough staff, funding, or time to deliver on our goals?

But there’s a deeper question worth asking: Do we have the capability that this moment requires?

At Creation In Common, we embrace economist-philosopher Amartya Sen’s definition of capability as the freedom to be and to do. It’s what enables an organization, a team, or a community to act with purpose…to not just execute tasks, but to live into their mission in more authentic, responsive, and creative ways.

And right now, we need new capabilities.

We need them not just to scale up or survive, but to reimagine how we serve, how we engage, and how we build a future that’s more just, inclusive, and resilient.

A new capability is what gets born when an organization chooses to advance social impact in a new way. It might start with a shift in mindset. It might emerge from new relationships. But it always becomes a form of freedom—to lead, adapt, and create differently.

This doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through a cycle of:

• Deep Insights – seeing clearly what is and what could be
• Shared Direction – aligning around values and vision
• Capability Building – creating the tools, behaviors, and strategies that support action.

This is not a one-time loop, it’s a rhythm—a way of working that keeps you aligned and growing.

We live in a world of increasing complexity and contradiction. In that world, rigid plans and inherited habits won’t get us far. What will? The freedom to act with integrity and imagination.

That’s what a new capability makes possible. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about building the capacity to respond with courage and clarity, even when the ground is shifting.

And that kind of freedom? It’s worth everything.