Growth/Scaling Plans, Impact Measurement, Organizational Assessments, Social Impact Architects, System Change
Valentine’s Day always offers a little glimmer of hope that the worst of winter is behind us and spring is on its way. When the tulips and irises start blooming in the spring, it feels like a fresh start. We’re lucky enough to get these windows of inspiration a few...
Grow, Lead, Organizational Assessments, Organizational Culture
When I was growing up in rural Texas, my favorite tree was a tall willow in the backyard. I loved to climb it and spend hours reading in its branches. But, I also loved to watch it sway in the wind, especially during a wild Texas thunderstorm. It never mattered how...
Executive Coaching, Grow, Lead, Organizational Assessments, Organizational Culture, Social Impact Architects
Have you ever been to a coalition or staff meeting where a newcomer asks a pointed question to the leader of the group, and everyone around the newcomer cringes while s/he stands oblivious to the battle s/he just instigated? Being an outsider or a newcomer to a group...
Impact Measurement, Issue Based Blogs, Organizational Assessments, Organizational Culture, Social Impact Architects, Social Movements, System Change
This week, the country honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., an American Baptist minister and activist who embodied the Civil Rights movement until his assassination in 1968. In honor of his great legacy advocating for social justice, this is the perfect time...
Grow, Impact, Impact Measurement, Lean Start-Up, Organizational Assessments, Organizational Culture, Social Impact Architects
Food critics and bloggers are constantly rating what is in and what is out. (In case you are wondering, sour is in, bitter is out.) The social sector is having the same discussion – trends show that innovation is out and impact is in. While this dichotomy brings...
Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Impact, Impact Measurement, Logic Model Development, Organizational Assessments, Program Development
When I started with the nonprofit Phoenix House right out of college, I was an idealist. I pursued any program and every grant that would help our clients. I believed success would come from the quantity of grants submitted. Now, with nearly three decades of...
