I am curious about the myriad of different ways that organizations are handling transition. None of them seem easy. After all, it isn’t really possible to rip off a mask and expect everything to return to normal.

Many nonprofits are taking this time and engaging in vigorous strategic planning discussions. New prospective clients are coming to us to help develop plans that will to bring them into a future filled with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. We are pleased to be invited on the journey. We also know that this is the exact time that we must question – everything. Take nothing for granted and don’t borrow or recreate the past. 

If you are taking this time to embark on a planning journey, here are ten things to bring with you into the process:

1) Create a vision that is aspirational and holds you to a higher standard

2) Re-think your purpose as an organization

3) Align your purpose with your mission in a single sentence

4) Get outside of yourself and into minds, hearts, and hopes of the people you serve

5) Community is your purpose – what are you going to do about it?

6) Data, data, data. Look at it from inside out and outside in and what is it really telling you?

7) Perspectives – be inclusive, open, and empathetic

8) Listen to voices of and from the community to inform the work you do

9) Become like the child who perpetually asks why, why, why

10) Embrace the uncertainty and go where it leads yOne final thought – your goals – aspirational and bold – should be cast in stone. But your strategies should be flexible enough to bend and adapt to changes ahead – and there will still be many more transitions to come.

“To be hopeful means to be uncertain about the future, to be tender toward possibilities, to be dedicated to change, all the way down to the bottom of your heart.” – Rebecca Solni