CONSULTING
How we work together is inextricably linked with the impact we're able to have in the world.
As an organizational development consultant, I help groups align their structure, process and culture with their mission, vision and values.
So much goes into organizational effectiveness: strategy, funding, leadership, recruitment and retention, organizational culture, relationship to feedback and conflict, the list goes on. Many of these elements stem from an organization's systems - whether those systems have been designed intentionally or have developed organically.
I work with organizations to better understand the systems they have in place, and design new systems to achieve the outcomes they desire. As part of this process, I help groups develop systems to care for their people and foster a culture of inclusion, sustainability, and care.
Based on the unique needs of each group, I collaborate with group members to design a process of organizational change. Depending on the group's needs, I may also conduct an organizational assessment, or support the implementation process through coaching, facilitation, and/or evaluation.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Those of us who are committed to systemic, transformational change are up against a lot of barriers. If we're going to be successful, we need to be strategic!
Since my early days of community organizing, I've been hyper focused on strategy. I love helping groups develop a plan to get from point A (where you are now) to point B (realizing your goals) that is grounded in your vision, values, and a realistic assessment of your capacity.
I believe in emergent strategy, a recognition that our world, ourselves, and the conditions of our ecosystem are always changing. In addition to having a well-designed strategy, we need to be able to adapt and adjust as we move forward.
Grounded in the specific needs of each group, I help organizations identify points of leverage and develop strategies that are "right sized" - detailed enough to act as a meaningful guide, but not so dense that the plan cannot change when conditions shift and a different approach is needed.
I believe a great strategic planning process not only charts the path forward; it also builds relationship, investment, analysis, and collaboration, strengthening the organization and its members in the process.
SHARED LEADERSHIP
Shared leadership, or co-leadership, is one of my areas of focus. I have a deep appreciation for the diversity of skills and experience that are needed for an organization to run effectively, and I believe groups operate at their best when all of their people have opportunities to learn, contribute, lead, and thrive.
By sharing power and decentralizing decision-making, organizations can increase efficiency, avoid burnout, create opportunities for professional development, and embody the values of equity, inclusion and democracy.
Of course, every organization is different, and the path to shared leadership is different for everyone. There are many forms of co-leadership, from a worker-owned collective to a more traditional organizational structure with two (or more) Co-Executive Directors. There is rarely a “one size fits all” that works in life, and that is especially true of shared leadership structures.
If your organization is considering making the transition to shared leadership (or if you already have and you’re looking for a partner to help you iterate), I’d love to talk!
I can help you assess your organization's level of readiness for a more horizontal structure, determine what type of structure will serve you best, and identify what groundwork needs to be done to ensure you'll be set up for success.