We start with you.

Successful strategies to achieve the impact you want require attention to your vision, process, and your team. All of them are critical in this time of rapid and often unpredictable change. We help you determine where the gaps are and how to address them in ways that align with your team’s strengths.

We have adapted tools from the business world such as human-centered design (aka design thinking), lean startup, and execution and tracking tools, and integrated them into an approach specifically designed for social impact leaders.

Using these tools, you’ll be able to clarify your core commitment and work together to achieve it. You’ll know when to say “No.” Your team will track what works, and prioritize high-leverage actions that have real impact for your clients.

Together, we’ll help you shape a compelling vision supported by a responsive process and a resilient team.

What clues are out there to help you anticipate the future?
How can you shape that future?

A strong vision will be based on questions you don’t know the answers to yet. What possible futures are out there? What’s calling you? Teams typically come up with several transformational “Bold Bets” that, taken together, will drive shifts toward a future that is still emerging.

How can you build in dynamic approaches that help you learn and adapt quickly?

Processes from human-centered design are especially helpful in times of rapid change. Teams often need to build their strength as learning organizations. Start by mapping the ecosystem, present and potential. Choose a few critical paths. Commit to learning by doing, building on small steps. Reflect on what’s working, and amplify it.

How can your team dynamics and culture better support active team engagement?

The “who” matters as much as the “how.” Look at your culture’s strengths and bottlenecks. Create opportunities for each team member to take ownership of creative approaches to change, so strategic activity is flowing from all parts of the organization.

The good news?

Vision, responsiveness and flow are tools that will build the overall health of your organization.

As teams explore these practices, they gain confidence in their ability to identify good ideas, test them, and use them to drive more effective programs and services. As they learn by doing, your organization will become more adaptable and nimble. This world of constant change will be a challenge, not a threat.