By Hildy Gottlieb

Effective causes need networks of people who have the strength to pull together in the face of opposition.

That was one of the observations Andy Carvin, NPR's senior strategist, discovered as he tracked the Arab Spring activists via Twitter. Mr. Carvin, who on some days tweeted updates more than 1,000 times in 24 hours, says building that support and quelling fear are important to making a difference.

"Change happens when fear vanishes," Mr. Carvin says.

Mr. Carvin's lessons from the uprisings in the Arab world provide useful approaches for any organization looking to make a difference.

Hildy Gottlieb is the co-founder of Creating the Future and author of "The Pollyanna Principles: Reinventing 'Nonprofit Organizations' to Create the Future of Our World." In this podcast, Making Change, she interviews leaders to discuss how those who are working for the greater good can effect more social change. New episodes of Making Change appear on the second Thursday of every month.