What does it make possible when people who work together know each other as whole people? For starters, knowing each other is a prerequisite for trust. And respect. And caring. And having each other’s back. So then, what is the worst that could happen if people who work together do not know each other as … Read more
The worst time for having to be with lots of other people is when we’re feeling stressed or even depressed. The holidays often bring both those things at the same time — stress AND being with people. Talk about set up to fail! My Catalytic Thinking practice has changed all that for me. When I let that … Read more
At its meeting last month, Creating the Future’s board took on one of the most important questions any board might tackle – the future of the board itself. What does leadership mean for an organization that intends to “accomplish a mission” vs. self-perpetuate? As it becomes more and more clear that what we are leading … Read more
What is the most meaningful and memorable “thank you” you’ve ever received? We posed this question to a group of experts who work with all types of community organizations, and we received some very inspiring responses! As we read those stories, a clear pattern emerged: Whether the thank you was in response to a … Read more
At our most recent board meeting for Creating the Future, we took time to deeply explore the role financial management, reporting, and leadership should play in the organization. As a demonstration project exploring what could be possible for all boards, we spend a fair amount of time engaged in a process talking about process. I personally … Read more
At our most recent board meeting for Creating the Future, we took time to deeply explore the role financial management, reporting, and leadership should play in the organization. As a demonstration project exploring what could be possible for all boards, we spend a fair amount of time engaged in a process talking about process. I personally … Read more
During its December meeting (for context, see this post summarizing our November meeting, and this post announcing our upcoming January meeting), Creating the Future’s board addressed this question: What will it take for the board – and individual board members – to hold themselves accountable for accomplishing the organization’s mission? The result of that question … Read more
Close your eyes and picture a “movement” for creating a better world. What do you see? It is likely the image you conjured is one of people making something happen. Perhaps you envisioned the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington or the individual protests that came before and after that single event. Or perhaps you … Read more
The quality of life in our communities is hugely affected by the work of many, many small groups of people who give their time to make something better. Over time, they attract community resources – volunteers, donations, gifts in kind, free use of community space. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the goal of our … Read more
In plain English, the word “mission” doesn’t mean “something we do forever.” A mission is either accomplished or impossible. We either get the job done, or we go home. Which means the most powerful question any change effort can ask is, “If we intend to accomplish our mission and actually change conditions in our communities, … Read more