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Tools for Getting Real with Your Giving Part 3: Critical Thinking Sep 29, 2022

The Quality of Your Reasoning Process As a Donor Really Matters!

In the first two posts in this series we looked at systems thinking and root cause analysis as powerful ways for donors to unravel the complexity of real world challenges.  In this post we turn to critical thinking as a...

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Tools for Getting Real with Your Giving, Part 2: Root Cause Analysis Sep 22, 2022

Root Cause Analysis: A Practical Way to Apply System Thinking In Your Giving 

In the first post in this series we looked at systems thinking as a key way to unravel the complexity of real world challenges. By helping to illuminate deeper systems at play, unexpected feedback loops, and...

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Tools for Getting Real with Your Giving, Part 1: Systems Thinking Sep 15, 2022

A lot of philanthropy goes wrong by failing to reckon with reality

Donors can become so attached to their own vision and strategic plan that they end up trying to bend reality around themselves. Purposefully or not, they encourage those around them to voice only what they already want to hear....

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Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone: 5 States of Mind for Donors Sep 08, 2022

If You Want to Change the World for Real with Your Giving, That Process Begins With Your Own Psychology

Wherever you are in your journey as a donor seeking to translate money into meaning, chances are, there’s room for improvement in either the impact of your giving or your own sense of...

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Sponsorship 101: The Ins and Outs for Donors, Providers and Recipients Aug 18, 2022

Sponsorship: An Often Overlooked Opportunity

There's a tremendous opportunity for donors as well as social entrepreneurs to achieve positive impact and joy through program sponsorship. I get a lot of questions about this model because this is how we resource the Joyful Impact Accelerator we run...

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Strategic Leadership 101: Developing A Landscape Analysis Aug 04, 2022

Context eats strategy for breakfast! 

This saying points out the danger of  jumping into strategic planning without fully considering the landscape--the context--in which we are operating.  In this latest post in our series on strategic leadership, we are going to look at how to...

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Strategic Leadership 101: Developing A Theory of Action Jul 28, 2022

Saying no is sometimes called the essence of strategy.  But if you actually want to make change in the world, you also need to take action. 

In a previous post we talked about creating a compelling shared vision, which is the starting point for any strategy that has a chance co working...

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Strategic Leadership 101: Crafting a Compelling Shared Vision Jul 20, 2022

Research going back several decades reveals that the two most important attributes people look for in a leader they would willingly follow are honesty and vision.  

This post is the first in a series about how to show up as your best self in a  strategic leadership role, whether...

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Structuring Your Giving Part 3: Choosing the Best Structural Form(s) Jul 13, 2022

Figuring Out Which Giving Structures Make the Most Sense for You, Part 3

 As we began to explore in a previous post on this topic, there’s a lot to consider as you try to figure out which giving structures are the best match for carrying out your giving.  Here’s what I...

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Structuring Your Giving Part 2: Choosing the Best Structural Form(s) Jul 06, 2022

Figuring Out Which Giving Structures Make the Most Sense for You

 There’s a lot to consider as you try to figure out which giving structures are the best match for carrying out your giving.  Here’s what I recommend: begin by identifying which of the key functional questions...

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Structuring Your Giving, Part 1: 7 Structural Forms for Donors Jun 30, 2022

Form Follows Function

 One of the key questions that donors often ask as they are gearing up their giving is what is the best vehicle? Do I need a private foundation?  An LLC? A donor advised fund? The what, when, where, and who of your giving are all important design considerations...

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5 Tools for High Stakes Communication: #5 Advocacy and Inquiry Jun 22, 2022

Advocacy and Inquiry: Balancing Energy and Empathy 

How well are you balancing advocacy and inquiry in your high stakes conversations? 

Effective interactions require a balance between sharing your views clearly and listening empathetically to others. If this balance gets skewed one...

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5 Tools for High Stakes Communications: Tool #4, The Ladder of Understanding Jun 15, 2022

Tool #4: Ladder of Understanding 

This is a tool to use when you can’t understand how someone else could see something so differently. What could they possibly be thinking!? Perhaps not surprisingly, the way to get insight about someone else’s conclusions is to start by more...

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5 Tools for High Stakes Communication: Tool #3, I Messages Jun 08, 2022

Communicating constructively when the stakes are high takes skill and an ability to override your own instinctive reactions. 

That's why we're doing this series on five specific tools for stepping up your skills for high stakes communication.   This post introduces the third tool:...

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5 Tools for High Stakes Communication: Tool #2, Left Hand Column/Right Hand Column Jun 01, 2022

You can learn a great deal by deconstructing problematic conversations after the fact, comparing what was actually said with your unspoken thoughts and feelings. That's what the Left Hand Column/Right Hand column tool is designed for.  

This tool was originally developed by Chris...

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5 Tools for High Stakes Communication: Tool #1, Fight or Flight Systems Check May 24, 2022

Five Skill-Building Tools for Stepping Up Your Positive Presence in Difficult Conversations

  If you want to engage effectively with others to foster lasting systems change, communicating in a resourceful, positive way is hugely important. But understanding the importance of effective...

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Who Is Involved in Your Giving: Tips for Sourcing Your Team May 18, 2022

Sourcing Your Team

 Even after you’ve figured out what kind of help you need to gear up your giving, finding the right people to fill those roles often feels like a significant barrier. This post is here to help you  source great people for these different levels of support.

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Who Is Involved In Your Giving: Mapping Your Decision Making Process May 11, 2022

Mapping Your Philanthropic Decision-Making Process

One really useful way to get a handle on all the issues related to who is involved in your giving is to map out your decision-making process.   Whatever role others play in your giving right now, chances are this will evolve over time. ...

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