Using Your Assumptions to Reframe, Re-energize, Re-engage
We all feel it at times. You love the work, you’re passionate about the mission. And you’ve been doing things the same way for months, years, decades… How do you bring a fresh perspective to the work you care so much about?
It can be hard to step back and truly see things through new eyes. Often, people decide it’s time to move on and let someone new take over. What if there’s another option?
Schedule time to meet with key stakeholders. Staff, donors, funders, board members, clients, community leaders, neighbors. Anyone who has a vested interest in your work can share valuable insights that you may be missing.
Start by talking through all the assumptions about your organization, the work you do, the people you serve, as well as the people who are impacted in some way because of what you do (the residents who live near your physical location are impacted by traffic at events, for example). Assumptions are generally based on fears, hopes, expectations.
Once you have gathered everyone’s assumptions, use that information to frame new questions – about the work you do, how you do it, how you approach outreach and communication to your different stakeholder groups.
As you go through the questions, you’ll naturally start to see themes emerge. Some questions will be in areas that could generate high impact, some will require higher level of action, and yes there will be some questions that are interesting but unlikely to be as impactful. Start with the high impact, high action questions. You only need a couple to move this process forward.
Assign these high impact/high action questions to small groups to DO SOMETHING. They could gather additional research, draft a plan of action to test something, the point is they are not meeting and talking, they are TAKING ACTION in some way and bringing information back to the larger group.
Set a timeline, generally weekly or biweekly meetings to maintain engagement and keep the process moving forward. You’ll be able to gather a lot of ideas that can move your mission forward, ideas that you cannot generate on your own. You’ll start to see your organization as “outsiders” see it, and that is priceless!
You’ll also have the benefit of bringing these people on a journey with you. A journey where you can help them see behind the scenes, engage them on a deeper level, and bring them into the family. Everyone benefits!
This can be challenging to do on your own, a trained facilitator can explain the process and the goals, ensure everyone’s voice is heard, and keep everyone moving in the same general direction while encouraging the “squirrel” moments that can be incredibly insightful! Contact me to schedule a meeting and talk more about this process!
MFilipi@MaxleyPlanning.com