Author: whatifconcepts

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

Stacks of Firewood and Philanthropy

When I see a well-stocked wood pile, it makes a statement. Somebody decided there was a future need, and their future journey required additional resources. They cut, split, stacked, and secured sufficient reserves to assist their planned itinerary. I am optimistic about their future.

When I see an under-resourced group, I wonder what decisions were made? Was it a lack of knowledge, a sense of assurance that rescue is certain if needed, a lack of planning, or circumstances?

I feel that end-of-the-year philanthropy is a mixed effort to add fuel to the journey. Some resources may be used as a buffer for challenging times, some may be burned immediately to keep the doors open, and some accumulate without a plan.

What if we prioritized our contributions to those causes that asked directly or those that we have invested in with our time, talent, and touch? What if we did not always show up out of habit and tradition with a cord of firewood each winter? Would it change relationships and the course of the social sector?

How do you respond to the end-of-year appeals? How do you evaluate the level of need for these causes?

Boost or Hold Up?

Is it easier to give a boost to an individual who has fallen behind or hold up the team’s progress to regroup? Context matters. A cross-country running team that is scored based on the top five individual scores is better off seeking a personal best for each individual and hoping their fight and sixth and members push each other, driven by competition and the thought of not letting the rest of the team down. A cycling team can place its weakest performing member in the ideal location to benefit from the drafting effect. The team may still need to ease off the power when the drafting impact is less.

As year-end giving virtual appeals appear in our email inbox, I notice a trend. Some organizations are asking for a boost to catch up with the need that is ever-expanding. Others are requesting assistance to provide services that keep the group together. Some causes are boost-focused, while others focus on not allowing a gap to form.

What mindset is most compelling to your work?

Trusted Intermediary

To be of service, we must embrace the role of a trusted intermediary. We position ourselves to optimize the journey for those who travel a segment of the route we specialize in navigating. When done authentically and with generosity, the shared journey is remarkable. When our intentions are transactional, the journey goes off track or leads to a dead end. None of us like to experience inferior services for the benefit of those presenting themselves as competent guides. 

How might we consistently remain curious and develop a culture of improvement so we do not stagnate and calibrate to the lowest common denominator?

Over Time, Data, and Reality

“You just have to look at the data over history to understand that nothing is changing regarding global warming.” Then, my seatmate shared a graph on their iPad. A quick Google search revealed that the image was considered one of the most misrepresented global temperature graphics from 2015 (note the Y axis ranges from -10 to 110 degrees F). A quick Google search revealed a different version.

This is not a debate over global warming trends or historical temperature fluctuations. It is a reminder that presented data can lack fidelity and immediately generate an emotional response. We feel shame or inadequacy that we did not know such a central fact when, in reality, the fact is not really what it appears.

How might we remain curious despite the headlines we encounter? How might we read more, ask better questions, and seek other resources before reaching our own conclusions? Other people may have traveled the same route, but their experience does not mean that we have to serve as their proxy.

What Won’t You Do?

What is the line you will not cross? Is it supported by your values? Is it hypothetical, or has it been tested in real-time? Why won’t you proceed if pushed?

Knowing your boundaries reduces anxiety. If our line includes a fear of heights, it helps us avoid selecting routes to the summit that require ascending via a cable while hanging over 1,500 feet of cliff face.

Cowboy Songs

Cowboy songs are easier to sing when out on the trail while riding one’s favorite horse. They are more challenging to belt out when sitting in a corporate board room while wearing a suit.
A sense of place impacts our mindset and effectiveness.

Ask a team to engage in a brainstorming session or blue sky thinking after everyone has spent sixty minutes going line for line through a proposed budget, and the results might be less than remarkable. Going offsite and walking in the woods before gathering in a comfortable place to think generatively may be a more productive course of action.


How might we set ourselves up for success by putting ourselves in better locations?