Author: whatifconcepts

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

Why Curosity is Essential

“Open conversations generate loyalty, sales and most of all, learning… for both sides.”  Seth Godin’s post was perfect.  You either respond with an answer and close the conversation or you get curious and ask a question in response.  The difference is about relationships.  When dating there is an attraction to those who ask questions to get to know more about you.  There is less synergy when there are only answers.  If you are a little curious you might find out something fascinating.  A simple group icebreaker is to play the game, Two Truths and a Lie.  Have individuals share two facts about their life and one fib.  It is not so much about what you have done but the questions that come from the exercise.

Said Another Way

I have always been confused by the concept of Generative Thinking as discussed in the book, Governance as Leadership.  I understood the approach to be an opportunity for an organization to discuss issues that do not find themselves on the board agenda but are significant to the cause.  The philosophy provides a chance for the board to stand back and consider things differently.  I gained an insight during the BoardSource Leadership Forum.  Generative Thinking is a perspective of making sense of the organization’s current place.  Consider asking, “what sense can we make of our current location?”

What We Remember
The perfect underpass if you are less than 5 ft tall.
A little humor before the steepest part of the running course.
The smiley face changed my thought process for the next kilometer

Sometimes people remember you more for the obstacles you leave in their path than all the ones you have cleared.  You can even add some encouragement at the toughest moments that contribute to a person’s positive memories of an event.

Sharing Organizational Values
The behavior of the leadership of your organization says much about your organization’s values.  If you put your leadership in special uniforms and elevate their status they are easier to spot and their actions send a definitive message to those who work with them.

What message is your leadership team sending to your followers?

*In the New York Police Department, the white shirt usually represents an individual in command.

Our Way
Can your community afford overlap?  Do you have an answer to  explain duplication to your community and constituents?  The demand for mergers and efficiencies will be ever increasing with this period of prolonged economic turbulence.  If we can ask ourselves this question as part of a strategic conversation it will allow us the latitude to have develop an articulate answer.
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This is the Place

Some social sector causes are evaluating putting their entire online presence on Facebook.  Instead of trying to bridge their followers between Facebook and an organization’s external website, these enterprises are using Facebook as the platform from which to manage their entire online presence.  This is not a strategy for everyone but may be viable for those with the right needs.  Facebook controls 16% of the US share of all time spent online.

Post-Post Update: Interesting data about Facebook users and their propensity to “like” you organization.