Leaders must think strategically. However, we seldom train them to do what we demand. Many who serve on a nonprofit board are serving on a board for the first time. Their employment requires operational thinking. As a result, they think about details first, the big picture second, and strategy is a problem solving tool rather than a planning tool.
Compounding this problem is the experience of the executive director. While the he or she might want to and be capable of thinking strategically, if the board is unwilling or unable to support the executive’s thinking, eventually he or she stops trying.
The failure to think strategically has consequences. Eventually, there is a decline, costs escalate, and doubts develop about the viability of the agency. The viability of many agencies across the country is in doubt.
Mission Enablers works with nonprofits of all types. We help them increase their capacity to serve adapt to the changing market, and increase their sustainability. Thinking strategically is the best way to increase sustainability and avoid decline. We restore viability to struggling agencies and help protect strong agencies from decline.
Strategic planning defines a structural break. A structural break creates a long-term, meaningful change in the future. As an example, consider a plan to increase donations. While that may create a long-term change in giving, it fails the meaningful test. Money is necessary but never meaningful. In addition, the changes are part of a peripheral activity (fundraising) rather than a core element of the mission. Examples of core business or mission related items are clients, services, quality, outcomes, the self-sufficiency of the clients, the character development of the clients, etc.
A structural break would be something like adding programming that results in a higher graduation rate. The higher graduation rate creates a change in the core business and it provides a benefit for the community, families, and the students. Another example is identifying at risk youth and providing programming that prevents their loss to society as well as providing them with a superior education.
The first step in the evolution to strategic thinking is to change the topics for discussion. When non-strategic topics dominate the conversation, strategic thinking is suppressed.
What steps can you take to change the discussion?
As always, if you want help contact us.
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