Quickstart Guide to Organization Development
Walk Before You Run
When used conjunctively, these are the fastest ways to start developing truly sustainable organizations that are effective, adaptable, and resilient.
Your nonprofit should have a clear working knowledge of these concepts before considering adding a new earned income project.
In "80/20" fashion (read what this means below), this Quickstart Guide produces 80% of the results with 20% of the effort.
1) Start Developing an Infinite Mindset
"Leaders who embrace an infinite mindset build stronger, more innovative, more inspiring organizations full of trust that have the resilience to thrive in an ever-changing world." (-Simon Sinek)
Learn more about the idea from Simon Sinek here, where you can browse, take a paid course (no affiliation, they're just good & worth recommending), or buy the book (better yet, support your local library).
Listen to a podcast with Brené Brown and Simon Sinek about the infinite [game] mindset here.
2) Practice 80/20 Thinking
“The few things that work fantastically well should be identified, cultivated, nurtured, and multiplied.” (-Richard Koch)
The most reliable way to "work smart, not hard", the 80/20 Rule (also known as the Pareto Principle) has been proven again and again: 80% of X comes from 20% of Y, where X could be results, new customers, donations, happiness, financial return, time used, complaints, etc., and Y can be customers, employees, campaigns, products, etc.
Use it to analyze problems, discover possibilities, simplify processes, and streamline operations. Watch a helpful video (here) about the 80/20 rule by Oxford grad and best-selling author of The 80/20 Principle (buy book here– another +1 for local library), Richard Koch (visit his website here).
3) Follow The Map of Meaning™
"Create work worth doing, a life worth living, and organizations worth having." (-Marjolein Lips-Wiersma, creator of Map of Meaning)
The Map of Meaning (based on peer-reviewed, empirical, academic research) can offer new insights into specific aspects of meaningful work, as well as provide a complete approach to organizational transformation.
Familiarize yourself with the Map here (again, no affiliation). You can also purchase the book here (+2 local library).
PLEASE feel free to reach out and ask me questions about these ideas and how you might go about implementing them. You're not bothering me– this is the best part! I love love love talking people through these approaches, especially because each circumstance is different yet equally promising. Plus, it's free :)
Or, if you'd prefer to talk through something over the phone (or video) and see if we're a good fit, self-schedule a free 30-minute meeting (here) or book a Quickstart Session below.