By: Heather Holmquest, Director of Transformation, Clear Impact

I don’t know about you, but I can’t read another “how to” adapt to work in a virtual world. We’ve had to adapt and we will continue to do so. No one can predict what tomorrow is going to bring. What is more interesting to me as we traverse this landscape is the WHAT we are doing, is it working, and is anyone better off as a result?

Is your organization doing what most are right now…… scrambling to put content out, post, post, post, post, stay relevant where ever you can? Is the concentration on how much can we do and how fast can we do it? Is anyone looking at the results? If we are not working from ends to means, then what are we working towards? Does your team know? Do you know? While unexpected challenges have pushed us into a virtual world and many new challenges, the question was there all along; are we doing the right things?

Change, REAL CHANGE comes from looking at where we want to go…. in tandem with where we can be. Are we measuring our efforts? If we aren’t, then there are a few questions we should be asking ourselves.

Why not? Really… why not? What are you so afraid of?

  • Is it FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, DOUBT?
  • Does it take too much time and are we focused only on the day to day?
  • Is there even time when we now have to put out more and get it out there faster?
  • If we add quantifiable performance measures… that means MY PERFORMANCE will be transparent.
  • If we demonstrate that we are not turning the curve in the right direction, we’ll lose our funding.
  • What if we see that our work really ISN’T making a difference?

As for the last, guess what? If your work really isn’t making a difference, then it’s time you start asking yourself another set of questions beginning with…. why are we even doing this? Seeing a real picture of where we are headed gives us the opportunity to redirect. This can apply to you as an individual or your organizational strategies.

Using a simple framework to narrow your strategies into clear and concise paths can only move you in the right direction. Sure, it may not be in the direction you’re headed now, but wouldn’t you rather know this sooner than later.. or even too late?

A simple framework in which your team is well-versed in a common language and shared goals not only provides a sense of direction that you’re working in unison towards, but accomplishes this and so much more!

Now you are replacing fear with….

  • A GROWTH mindset
  • A visual to show you exactly where you are, where you’ve been and exactly where you’re headed if nothing changes
  • A PATH to adjust your strategies to improve where you’re headed
  • A team committed to a common goal
  • A spirit of inclusion and contribution from all levels of your organization
  • A unity of purpose and invested culture
  • Justification and validation of your efforts
  • Appreciative customers. Customers value transparency.
  • REST EASY knowing you’re working towards great things.

Change takes time. But change has to start somewhere. Stop throwing darts around virtual walls, or risk being left in the dust by those looking inward to create strategies for long-term change. Gather your team and start asking some deeper questions. Don’t just ask ‘how much?’ and ‘how fast?’. But is anyone actually better off and if not, now what?

For more information on how the Results-Based Accountability™ Framework can help your nonprofit or government organization create real, measurable impact, please visit Clearimpact.com or contact Heather directly at heather@clearimpact.com.

About the Author:

Heather HolmquestAs the Director of Transformation at Clear Impact, Heather Holmquest works closely with non-profit and government organizations to help impact greater community change. She has extensive experience managing non-profit organizations and trade groups, where her roles centered around community improvement, developing value added services, and serving as a communication conduit to stakeholders and the public. In 2019, she gave a TED Talk, and was selected as one of South Carolina’s Top 11 Women with Vision by SC ETV.