"北约是在冷战时期为了对抗苏联而建立的。我们不知道它为什么还存在以及它的角色应该是什么。"

NATO’s original purpose was all about countering the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Back then, the West needed a united front to face the looming threat from the East. But now? The Soviet Union is long gone, and we’re left scratching our heads about NATO’s current role.

Alright, let's rewind a bit. When NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was founded in 1949, the world was a different place. The Cold War was in full swing, and there was a palpable fear of the Soviet Union spreading its influence further into Europe. NATO was essentially a defense pact, a promise that if one member was attacked, the others would come to their aid. It made perfect sense in a world split into two hostile camps.

Fast forward to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Suddenly, the big bad enemy was gone. You’d think NATO would fade into the background, right? Not quite. Instead, it remained and even expanded. But the thing is, its clear-cut mission got a bit blurry.

Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine a neighborhood watch group formed because of a notorious burglar. They met regularly, shared information, and even did night patrols. One day, the burglar is caught and sent to prison. The group still meets, but now they're not entirely sure what to focus on. They debate—should they disband? Should they tackle other neighborhood issues like littering or noise complaints? The purpose that once united them is no longer there, and they’re left in a bit of an identity crisis.

A real-life example of NATO’s ambiguous role can be seen in its involvement in Afghanistan. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 (an attack on one is an attack on all) and went to support the US in Afghanistan. This was the first time Article 5 was used and marked a significant shift from its original purpose of defending Europe from Soviet aggression. The mission in Afghanistan was about counter-terrorism, nation-building, and dealing with non-state actors—quite different from the Cold War objectives.

So, how do we apply this piece of wisdom? If you’re part of an organization, always revisit your mission. Times change, and so should you. Are you sticking to outdated goals? Or are you evolving with the times? It’s like cleaning out your closet—you need to reassess and decide what still fits.

Picture this: You’re part of a startup that began to solve a specific problem. Over the years, you’ve grown, the market has changed, and that problem isn’t as pressing as before. You gather your team and have an honest conversation. What’s our new direction? How do we leverage our strengths in the current landscape? Maybe you pivot, maybe you innovate, but you definitely don’t stay stuck in the past.

In the end, it’s about adaptability. Just like NATO needs to redefine its purpose in a post-Soviet world, we all need to periodically reassess and recalibrate our goals. Staying relevant means being able to pivot and find new directions—even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone. And that’s not just for international organizations—it’s for all of us, in our careers, our projects, and our lives. So, take a moment, think about your current mission. Is it still serving you? If not, it might be time for a change.