Instead of asking, “what’s new?” ask, “what’s working?” Instead of asking, “who failed?” ask, “what are our strengths?” Instead of asking, “how do I feel?” ask, “how are others reacting?” Instead of asking, “what went wrong?” ask, “what does ‘high functioning’ look like?” Instead of asking, “why did we make that choice?” ask, “what do…
Category: Leadership
Getting From “Me” to “We”
A personality trait that most leaders desire in individual staff members can best be described as “being a good team player.” This trait is a combination of behaviors that, overall, puts the team’s goals and interests above those of the individual. You will hear people say positively, “he has more ego for the university than…
A Search for Shared Vision
It is not the responsibility of the CEO to create the institutional vision. It is her responsibility to see that it is created. A big distinction. The next question, of course, becomes how best to create this institutional vision. I would quietly suggest that the CEO who decides to create the vision herself causes many…
The Problem with Motions, Seconds, and Votes
Following Robert’s Rules of Order during a governing board or foundation board meeting might be helpful for imposing order on the discussion. But, it is almost wholly unhelpful in engaging and exciting the philanthropic imagination of your board members so that ambitious goals can be achieved. If you want to get important things accomplished and…
Practicing the Art of “Giftfinding”
For all of human history until just very recently, people have used systems-level thinking to navigate the natural world and the opportunities and dangers it presents. For instance, the ancient people of Polynesia practiced the art of “wayfinding,” which applied a sophisticated understanding of broad natural cues to safely pilot a canoe from one island…
Why “Going Viral” Shouldn’t Be Your Goal
The #ALSIceBucketChallenge has been a tremendous success no matter how one might define the term. The challenge began in July and, within the last month, the awareness of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease as it is still known, is sky high. In addition, ALS is now reporting that the challenge has raised almost $80 million dollars…
On Fundraising Attitudes and Aptitudes
Being an advancement leader brings with it the responsibility to “teach up.” Whether you work with a Dean, a Chancellor, a President, a CEO, or a Board member, getting the best possible results means working with and through others. In many instances, donors will respond more generously when an institutional leader plays a meaningful role…
Constantly Distracted
Back in the mid 1990s the word “pizzled” was coined. It was a mix between “puzzled” and “pissed” and was used to describe the feeling you might have when someone you were with decided to start talking on their mobile phone. Today, such distractions in the social arena are common and accepted. Have you been…
What Is Valuable?
What We Are Told To Value What Actually Is Valuable Task Accomplishment Relationship Building Competition Cooperation Individualism Teamwork Knowledge Caring Problem Solving Question Posing Telling Listening Through culture and institutions, our western world encourages us to value the items in the left column of the table more than the items in the right column. But…
Authentic Inquiry
To fully live into her promise, a development leader’s most valuable skill set is what I refer to as “authentic inquiry.” Here is how I define the concept: Authentic Inquiry is the gentle art of relationship-building through the process of asking well-framed questions based on your sincere interest in the other person and to which…