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10 questions for public innovators
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May 21, 2006 Posted by Rich HarwoodI’ll be leading our Public Innovators Lab this week in Baltimore, Md., which always brings to a head some fundamental questions about people’s efforts to create change in communities. Here are some questions I hear over and over again from public innovators. See what they spur in you.
- How can I get other people to see why I’m pursing the path that I am in my work?
- How can I position, or reposition, my organization so that it’s not only providing worthy services or programs but is in the business of being catalytic and creating deep change?
- How do I move my organization or group beyond simply embracing the easy answers through the programs we pursue, the uses of technology we adopt, the events we stage, and get us focused on the hard work that is required to bring about change? How do we avoid watering down our mission?
- How do I keep our efforts aligned with the reality of our capacity, so that we have a real chance to achieve results, instead of frittering away time and resources on things that sound good but ultimately won’t move the needle?
- How can I put my work in a larger conceptual framework – so that it’s possible for me and others to see the bigger picture of what we’re trying to do and why?
- How can I sustain people’s engagement over time, especially when things get tough or move slowly?
- How do I take effective action when too often there is limited capacity within our own communities for action?
- How fast can I expect progress to come, and what should I do when everyone around me expects change seemingly overnight?
- How can I engage my funders and supporters who don’t want to take the time to truly understand what we’re trying to do?
- How can I keep myself going as I pursue my path?
What do you think? Print out the list of questions and try answering them yourself. Send in one or more of your responses so others can benefit, too.
In the meantime, I’ll be posting some thoughts on these, and hopefully you’ll be hearing from some of the individuals attending our Public Innovators Lab as well.
Be well.
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May 24, 2006 | Deedra's Comment | dpuffer@coker.edu
1 -- First, I think you guys should value the strong reputation that that your PR is helping you build. Once and awhile when success is pending or happening it is incumbent on those other organizations to recogize it is time to get on board or they will be left at the station.
2 -- I know it is hackneyed but one of the strongest leadership ideas I know is "It is amazing how much can be accomplished when it doesn't matter who gets the credit." And, when things are happening, there is usually enough credit to go around -- even for those (often politicians) who were only on the sidelines. And, when things are not happening and there is not much credit -- it is those who were in the forefront who will be getting the blame. That is what leadership is about. Maybe someone needs to those organizations with their media relations. A little jealousy might be a good thing in that community.
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May 22, 2006 | Deedra Atkinson | datkinson@uwdc.org
First, please say "hi" to my fellow colleagues at the Institute this week. Wish I could be with you. Here's another question I wish you'd consider: How do we insure the community engagement we do, and the media exposure we receive, doesn't cause jealousy by a few other organizations in the community who simply watch us with green eyes? Results...chatty underground gossip, and an unwillingness to work collaboratively with us. they'll never do the community engagement and background work involved, but get jealous when we get so many accolades by the media for the work we do. http://unitedwaydanecounty.org
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May 22, 2006 | Sara Fotopulos | smfotopulos@aol.com
I would add a further aspect to Mr Puffer's apt observation: that explanations of "what's in it for them" must be stated in concrete terms that are relevant to the recipient's frame of reference. Too often, promoters of a position go to esoteric philosophical or ethical justifications. Such argument is too easily discounted as too complicated (let the experts fight it out and tell me later), too theoretical (why should I accept your belief when there are so many who believe the opposite), too dependent on uncontrolled variables (I'll take action if and when it becomes clearly necessary). What consumers need to know are the hard truths of consequence of today's choices on their daily lives, today and in the future.
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May 22, 2006 | Richard Puffer | dpuffer@coker.edu
Looking at these ten questions that will kick off the Innovators Lab it is apparent that this was the right venue for me to use for assistance in sustaining my own motivation in a community building/community involvement effort. But, before beginning Monday morning, I wanted to note that the observation that as a nation we might have become more a society of consumers than of citizens seems a good place from which to begin analysis of involvement within our communities. If this is correct, and I see lots of proof that it may be it provides community leaders with a great starting place. It tells us that one of our jobs is getting people to buy (into) community involvement and renewed citizenship. As we energize our community involvement efforts we probably need to keep the idea that the people - as consumers - need to be told what is in it for them. We probably cannot assume the virtures and benefits of citizenship are clear. That may become even more clear as we look at some of the 10 questions, especially the ones that call for introspection.