Giving is Good
It seems that Bode Miller, one of the winningest downhill skiers of all-time, is focusing on becoming a thoroughbred race horse trainer. In making the transition from ski slopes to horses, Bode made an interesting observation. To his mind, the field of horse racing is not as technologically-advanced as skiing. And Bode understands technology…
We are taught to seek out the single, right answer. And we are trained to learn the formula that leads us to the single, right answer in most all circumstances. The problem for development leaders, of course, is that there is almost never an unconditionally “right” answer. Qualitatively complex human interactions are far too varied…
“It’s the board’s responsibility to ask questions. And it’s the staff’s responsibility to respond.” We were discussing the roles of a non-profit governing board and the relationship between a board and an institution’s administrative leaders, especially as it relates to strategic planning. The Executive Committee Board member who made this statement is new to non-profit…
Despite its triteness, the following platitude regarding our work is true: “If you don’t ask, the answer will almost always be ‘no’.” We need to be out of our offices, asking for specific gifts. However, to do this work well, asking alone is not enough. To round out this statement, I would add the following:…
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…
My hope is that you are in this work we call advancement because you are driven to make the lived experience for others better. My hope is that you chose this work because you are committed to a meaningful mission. My hope is that you wake up most days eager to fully live into a…
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…
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…
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…
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…