Master Class
Have you ever lied to leave a meeting?
I have, twice.
One was a hard sell from an overly aggressive fundraiser after I had specifically and repeatedly clarified that I wasn’t going to be offering a grant at the time.
The other was a few years ago when I was a stakeholder for a strategic planning session for a charity I knew pretty well. They had brought in a facilitator who, from the beginning of the day, seemed out of step with the group. He got lost on rabbit trails, over-engaged with previously resolved issues, and didn’t address inappropriate comments at all.
It’s the only time in my life I’ve suggested to a leader that they replace the facilitator mid-program, offering to take over during the lunch break if requested. It really was awful.
By the time the afternoon break came I conspired with one of the other participants to say we “had to leave”; which was true in the sense that we really couldn’t handle being in that session any longer. I don’t regret it.
That event was a total contrast to what I’m experiencing this week.
As a board member of 541 Eatery and Exchange I’m participating in a strategic planning process facilitated by Chris Bosch from Chisel Consulting. It’s excellent.
Chris brings a wonderful blend of structured activities and intuitive direction that has our whole group highly engaged. And it is helping us find strong alignment around specific priorities and plans for the next 3-5 years. We’re making solid progress without feeling rushed, and while having space to explore some topics that are slightly off topic, but important.
Chisel compiles research into the local realities and relevant trends that need to inform our thinking, and helps us discern next steps that are realistic in our context. Their whole team are experts in the field and truly understand the challenges and joys of nonprofit leadership.
In some ways Chisel is a competitor. There are some organizations we are both proposing to work with. But the dynamic is mutually supportive and I gladly encourage some of my leads to talk to them about projects where they are a better fit. And Chris has been a generous encourager of my work too.
Strategic planning means different things to different organizations. The approach I offer is different from Chisel in several ways. And that’s a good thing for charity leaders who can consider what their organization really needs at this point in their history.
Of course there are several other consultants I also think do excellent work and regularly recommend when I think they could be the right fit. I would love to talk with you about your needs and opportunities and point you towards someone who can provide services you won’t have to lie your way out of.
Contact me if I can be helpful to you and/or your organization.
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