It’s free, it’s been out for about ten years, and yet I think it is still a tremendously underutilized resource. It is the McKinsey/VPP Organization Capacity Assessment Tool. To download your free copy, go to: http://www.vppartners.org/learning/mckinsey-vpp-ocat The OCAT was developed by consulting experts McKinsey & Company for Venture Philanthropy Partners as a … [Read more...] about A Cool Tool
Your Leadership Pipeline
Next week I will be teaching a two day course on Leadership Succession for NeighborWorks America (www.nw.org) in Atlanta. A few years ago the leaders at NeighborWorks – a national network of organizations which work to provide affordable housing across the country – realized that their local organizations needed to be prepared for the inevitable retirements of Baby … [Read more...] about Your Leadership Pipeline
Mission, Vision, Money
Last week I was asked to serve as the opening speaker for the Major Gifts track at a nonprofit fundraising conference. In summary, I said that an aspirational Mission & Vision are the pathways to Money. In fact, this is the most important path to take if you want to raise BIG money for your nonprofit. Mission. The aspect of Mission I encourage nonprofits to focus on … [Read more...] about Mission, Vision, Money
“We’re Lost But Making Good Time”
This is the title of Chapter One of Mario Morino’s new book, Leap of Reason. I know that most of you don’t have the time to read a blog much less a book, but I strongly recommend it. He makes a compelling case for the urgency, now, for nonprofits to change the way most operate. As he states: “Here’s the problem in a nutshell: We don’t manage to outcomes, thus greatly … [Read more...] about “We’re Lost But Making Good Time”
How Are You Listening?
Do you want to be an empowering leader and colleague? Then I suggest you monitor how you listen to others. Notice I am saying “how” you listen, not “how well.” There are two general categories of how you can listen to people. You can “listen to respond” or “listen to understand.” When you “listen to respond, ” it is like you are in a debate. You listen for the flaws in … [Read more...] about How Are You Listening?