Hildy Gottlieb We recently asked a group of consultants to name the biggest problems they encounter with nonprofit boards. We then added their list to the results from asking Google the same question. The most remarkable thing about that long list is that it isn’t remarkable. Board members who are disengaged, who micromanage, who don’t understand their … Read more
It’s strategic planning time – the time to dream big, to reach for what is possible! Except we all know that’s not really what happens. At the end of the session, our biggest goal – if we’re lucky – might be to create a new program aimed at a small fraction of the problems our … Read more
In 2022, Creating the Future asked our community to determine what’s next for the work of our mission. Our mission: Our mission is to apply Catalytic Thinking in a variety of settings, and to share what we learn from those experiments, to ensure that everyone, everywhere, can transform the systems they encounter into more humane, … Read more
If you’ve watched Creating the Future’s strategy and board meetings, you know that virtually every minute is spent in meaningful, generative conversation. Those discussions are what allow us to move forward in huge leaps, rather than tiny increments. What could be more important than thinking aloud together about the big questions your organization faces… Who … Read more
$471 billion dollars1 1.3 million organizations1 12 million employees1 This is the nonprofit sector in the United States at a glance. So much money. So many organizations. So many people. And so much frustration. All of us sensing that more change is possible, often feeling like we are taking 2 steps forward and 1.5 steps … Read more
It was seven years ago. I was trying to settle my mom’s estate, and my brother and I were disagreeing about what to do. These weren’t arguments – my brother and I get along. We like each other. We just had different approaches and different needs. Sell her house quickly, or wait for the market … Read more
I was on a plane last weekend. Actually four planes, three different airports. Hundreds of my fellow humans on all sides. Every one of us was scared. How do I know that? In the time of Coronavirus, we’re all scared! For me, it’s been a low level hum. I know it’s there. I am doing … Read more
What could possibly top two months on the road in 2018, sharing Catalytic Thinking across California? Last year’s trip was such a boost to Creating the Future’s mission, and such an example of what is possible when you get out of the office and connect with real people about the WHY of your work. What … Read more
This week, Creating the Future will begin developing a communications strategy, to move our work to the next level. (You can watch or participate in that session here.) Because we will use Catalytic Thinking to develop that strategy, you may notice that some of the questions we ask feel different from questions posed in traditional … Read more
Note: This post is part of an ongoing project, and as such, is frequently updated. Most recent update: September 27, 2022. In addition, see this January 2022 article in Nonprofit Quarterly, for a summary of our most recent findings. Do you ever feel like Sisyphus in your work to create a more humane world – … Read more