One of the ironies of associations is that the strengths that led to their initial success may actually be detrimental to their ongoing growth. Most associations start with a group of passionate volunteers that serve in many roles. They are intricately involved in all the functions of the association. These core volunteers oversee the organization’s daily operations, make all the decisions, manage each committee and approve every purchase. While the role of these early volunteer leaders is … [Read more...]
Future Forward Thinking Cultures Lead To Extraordinary Results
This is part four of a series on being more future focused in our planning. See part one here, part two here and part three here. So how do we develop, foster and leverage future focused leadership? How do we encourage our committees, volunteers, staff and customers to laser focus on what’s next, what’s coming and co-creating a future together? It’s so hard to look ahead when we are often struggling with the past. Leaders need to look farther out than anyone else. Too often they have a … [Read more...]
Start Today By Stepping Into Your Future With Your Feet Firmly Planted In Reality
This is part three in a four part series on being more future focused in our planning. See part one here and part two here. Strategic foresight is a competency that all leaders need today! Yet rarely do we discuss it. Much less practice it for our future planning. And hardly ever do we foster organizational cultures of future forward thinking instead of lollygagging leadership. So how does a leader develop and refine this skill? What exactly is strategic foresight? And how can we use … [Read more...]
Foster Novelty And The Absurd as You Feed Your Brain’s Craving For Future Foresight
This is part two in a four part series. See part one here. Go ahead and admit it! If you are even a little like me, you have a curiosity for the future. I have always felt a fascination for what’s next more than a nostalgia for the past. Imagine my surprise to discover my brain is actually hardwired to foresee the future. According to neurobiologists Dr. William Calvin and Dr. David Ingvar, our drive to tell stories about our future is hardwired into our human brain. It is closely … [Read more...]
Future Focused Leadership Not Lollygagging Laggards
This is part one in a four part series on being more future focused in our planning. This illustration is part of the booklet How to Change the World. Many organization leaders take great comfort in rear view leadership. It feels safe. We know what to expect. (At least that’s what we tell ourselves and our team.) Our over optimistic belief that we can continue to do what we’ve always done is a crutch, at best. It gives us a false sense of security. Sometimes repeating the past works for … [Read more...]
Three Principles To Awaken Your Association Force Leadership
Have you seen the newest installment in the Star Wars saga: Episode VII “The Force Awakens?” I admit I’m something of a Star Wars fan. Just take a look at my Facebook page and you’ll see. One of the major themes in the Star Wars films is light versus dark, good versus evil. That same theme often runs through organizations. Light brings forth freedom and direction while darkness leads to restriction and a loss of vision. Understanding Your Association Enemies In the Star Wars franchise, … [Read more...]
