The Starfish Theory of Change

 

Today’s comic brings back Halcolm—this time wrestling with the classic “Starfish” idea. It’s a reminder that in the world of evaluation, the work doesn’t always look grand or sweeping. Sometimes it’s one small act, one small insight, one small shift that feels like a drop in the bucket.

But drops accumulate. Patterns emerge. Change—real change—often starts with the quiet, faithful work of paying attention, asking questions, and learning from what’s right in front of us.

Evaluators know this better than anyone: impact isn’t always flashy. Sometimes it’s just one starfish at a time.

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