Author: whatifconcepts

Empowering those that inspire so they can excel at the work that matters.

Boring Boards

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Self-reported, most participants at board meetings find little value.  Is there a better way forward?  What if the next board meeting agenda was composed of just questions.  

Strategic Agenda:

1. Why do we do what we do? 2. How do we make our purpose visible? 3. What route is most compelling for us?

Growth Mindset Agenda:  

What makes us hopeful?  What is hard for us but worth attempting?  Where has our hard effort been rewarded?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know Agenda:

Each individual asks a question they have been reluctant to ask before (or has gone unanswered)?

The Question Agenda:

Devise all the presentations and reports as a direct responses to a single question.  For example, how do we know we are succeeding?

Making Everyday Items Visible

Many people know the process described by Bill The Engineering Guy.  There is nothing proprietary about the knowledge he presents.  However, Bill cared enough to make it visible.  He took the time to illustrate the process in an easy to understand video.  One cannot look at an aluminum can the same way upon completion of the video.  Because of Bill’s commitment, we are more apt to return to his studio for future information.

What are you making visible that changes lives?

Perspective

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The above image represents mapping from the Bomb Sight website that tracked the impact locations of all the bombs that fell on London during World War Two.  I has recently completed the book Citizens of London which illuminated the power of the bombings of London but this map provided a level of understanding that was far more profound.  If you have ever visited London you can zoom into a neighborhood you know and feel the echo of chaos that must have existed during these bombing raids.

We can share the work we are doing and sometimes it is met with a shrug.  The question then for us is if the insight is worth representing in a way that is more visible.  Can it be appreciated for its full effect?  Sometimes it feels like we provide rainstorms when we were looking to create a microburst.

Transactional Aquaintiances

I have been intentionally mindful about my interactions since the beginning of the year and intrigued to discover that I maintain more transactional acquaintances than friends.  Transactional acquaintance are individuals we hear from when our resources benefit their efforts without regard for the provider.  It may be opening a door, leveraging resources, loaning materials, or captivation of time.  At first I was discouraging to place people considered friends into the transactional category.  Then I realized that I allowed these relationships to perpetuate along the transactional narrative.  As an individual synopsized about my new understanding, we are a member of these false tribes until our value is replaceable.

So I continue on my quest with increased awareness.  Looking for those who are seeking to be inspired by thinking and acting differently.  Reminded that our best ideas sporadically spring from those with whom we posses weak ties.  I recall the Edge Effect that states where multiple ecosystems overlap we find the greatest diversity.  We must strive for the edge in order to experience the inspirational.

A great resources for mindfulness has been employing the Head Space app.  An easy to use, beautifully designed, and customizable meditation course.  The program is remarkable and the results of daily meditation equally profound.  I offer it as resource to those on a path that bends around corners which causes us to lose sight of all we know, even for a fleeting moment.

Inside View

We create environments that feels interactive and meaningful by closing ourselves off from alternative points of view.  These constructed environments provide all types of feedback that feels valuable.  However, somebody will come along and inquiry to what end are we putting our limited resources.  If our answer is to point at the progressive jackpot that is growing rapidly we may find it difficult to enroll others.  Winning the treasurer based on the whim of an algorithms rarely provides lasting memories and typically a selfish act.

IMG_7367When our vision provides us with a landscape in which our skills and teamwork will determine our progress, the likelihood of assembling a corps of discovery grows greatly.  Playing for the jackpot is great as entertainment.  Trekking beyond the horizon line in exploration of an idea that will fundamentally change the future of our tribe is life altering.  Enjoy being entertained by prizes but do not confuse them for the work that matters.

Two Trails Diverged

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Two trails diverged and I selected one and it made a difference.  I did not wait for the crowd.  I did not look to see which one showed signs of greater wear.  I committed and I was on an adventure.

At which junctions are you standing waiting for perfect information before selecting a route?  Too often the choices I must make become bigger than the terrain and opportunities that lay ahead.  Pick one and take our resourcefulness on an adventure (unless it is one of the small occurrences when pausing before leaping makes sense).

Long Term Progress

Seth Godin’s asked: What are you willing to give up today in exchange for something better tomorrow? Next week? In ten years?

The immediate place this resonates on most social sector agendas is during the financial report.  How often has the balance sheet driven the mission of an organization?  When did doing what is right become the brave thing to do?  Are we perpetuating a problem so our coffers stay full or are we willing to tackle obstacles while acknowledging that our efforts may or may not work?

In my experience, while brainstorming during long-term visioning exercises the most frequent organizational wish list item: an endowment/reserve fund (bigger endowment if one already exists).  It is not always the first thing mentioned but once the words ‘endowment’ are put forth there is a chorus of support.  As if the idea of financial security is more important than solving the very problem/furthering the opportunity the enterprise was founded to address.  Protecting the organizational shield outranks the desire for great quest.  Yet, I am short on stories about the knights of the roundtable who stayed home and collected membership fees.

Some people will risk a lot in pursuit of long-term progress.  Embarking on the journeys that are uncertain.  This is the edge where we should be planning.  Being self-sustaing but unremarkable is not original.  Far too many groups have traveled the path and their legacy (at best) is a mountain full of treasure guarded by a dragon and off limits to almost everyone.

What are you willing to give up today?  Why does it matter?