IMPACT's approach to community change is inspired by a number of social change theorists and practitioners.
- Margaret Wheatley: An organizational consultant and theorist, Wheatley espouses that all can be leaders, that relationships are critical to community success, and that breakthroughs can occur when we embrace our complexity.
- Peter Senge: Known for his best-selling book, The Fifth Discipline, Senge advocates for creating learning organizations, which necessarily build shared leadership informed by shared vision and goals. Co-creation and co-ownership then become crucial to all processes.
- Otto Scharmer: Scharmer’s concept of "generative listening" builds leaders who practice the deepest kind of listening to genuinely connect and understand, stretching beyond empathy.
- Kaleel Jamison: Jamison’s "kernel of power" concept draws out personal strengths and gifts as the basis upon which leadership is grown and innovation is encouraged.
- Bill Traynor: In his work with Lawrence CommunityWorks, Traynor has built out a concept of place-based, network-centric organizing, which most directly reflects our model and its future. Read his inspiring article, Building Community in Place.
