Have you ever looked around on Christmas morning after the gift-opening frenzy is over and realized that perhaps you went a little overboard? It’s a feeling I get every year about this time, and one you think I’d have learned to anticipate by now. What begins as a surety that I’ve not bought enough presents […]
Too Much of a Good Thing Read More »
It’s the season of giving, and I’ve got the credit card bills to prove it. In addition to playing Santa to my twin five-year-olds, I’ve been using every spare second for holiday shopping for relatives and friends. It’s a frenzy, but like everyone else, I’m comforted by the thought of the smiles my gifts will
In 2002, Patrick Lencioni wrote a book called, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. It explains the interpersonal aspects of teambuilding in a professional setting and how they undermine success. Although Lencioni’s team is in a fictional company, his lessons also are entirely relevant to grantmakers. Here’s my take on how Lencioni’s five dysfunctions can
The 5 Dysfunctions of Philanthropy Read More »
I’ve recently started a new fitness regimen, and as we all know, once you start intentionally exercising, you start noticing all the other people who are doing the same thing. Only this time, I’m also noticing the growing number of people who are wearing Fitbits. Just in case you’re not familiar with this device, it’s
Fitbit Philanthropy Read More »
Imagine that the foundation for which you work needs to find consulting expertise for a particular project. Everyone agrees to develop an RFP to get qualified consultants to respond. That’s thorough, fair, and transparent. Right? Wrong. I rarely respond to RFPs for consulting engagements. Their expectations are not thorough, fair, or transparent. I find most
Why RFPs Waste Time: Choose a Better Approach to Finding a Great Consultant — Part I Read More »
In my experience, the most effective foundations do one thing without fail – they ask the question guaranteed to save time and money, and achieve results. That question is this: “If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?” If you ask that question of your grantees, other organizations working on
One Question Guaranteed to Save Funders Time and Money, and Achieve Results Read More »