Posts Tagged ‘coordination’

Sep.
13th

Leadership in committees (part 2)

By Tom | 2 Comments

Often committees are formed to help executives and senior management answer critical questions about the organization’s goals and future.  To be successful, the committee must have leadership that helps the members thoroughly understand and build commitment to answering those questions.  Here are some questions that group leaders (both formal and informal) can use to help guide and motivate the group to achieve its goals.

–What is the desired result? Do we have, or can we build and get agreement with our sponsor/customer around, an outline of the desired work product (document)?

–What is “good enough” for success, for the purposes at hand?  Who will use the result, for what purpose?

–Who has called for the result, has given the charge to the committee?  What are their critical interests, what’s their “bottom line” need or expectation?

–When is the desired result needed?

–To what extent are the product, criteria, and due date flexible?  What are consequences of not satisfying those expectations and needs of the chartering person or entity?

–How can the work be distributed among members, including making specific requests of individuals that include due date, desired contents, and quality criteria (what’s “good enough”)?  What is each group member ready and motivated to contribute? What does the group need from each of its members?

Each of these questions need continual attention by the committee.  A skilled facilitator will encourage the group’s leadership to ask these questions at the beginning of the project to build a common initial understanding of what is to be achieved, and will help the group develop its game plan for producing those results.  These questions can also be used throughout the group’s work to help it stay “on course”, to keep its members engaged, and to ensure it stays connected to the manager or governing body that commissioned its work.

What’s your experience with committees and boards, either as a facilitator or a member?  What questions, prompts and other techniques have you found effective in keeping the group focused and on-track?  What kinds of leadership techniques have worked best for you?

, , , , ,
Posted in Leadership, collaboration, coordination

Jan.
14th

From Talking to Doing: A Climate Change Case Study

By Tom | No comments yet

Folks passionate about a cause often find outlets for their energies by joining groups, attending meetings, and energetically expounding on their concerns and issues.  Converting the passion and sense of urgency around a cause or issue, into usable, practical action is gaining new prominence with the climate change movement.   There are pretty big reasons to be concerned and passionate about the threats associated with climate change.  How can the energy around this issue be harnessed and targeted in ways that produce concerted and effective action?  How can collaborative relationships be built among citizens, businesses, governments and NGOs to work toward solutions?

Over the past 18 months I’ve worked with a climate change organization which has done exactly that.  The Thurston Climate Action Team  has brought diverse  political leaders, companies, citizens and service organizations together to achieve the common goal of energy efficiency.  They did this starting with no money in the bank, no existing organization or track record, and limited community awareness of energy efficiency and climate change. Within those eighteen months they have:

  • Received  seed money contributions from four city governments, the county commissioners, and the local wastewater utility;
  • Been awarded $1.5 million in stimulus grants to fund an innovative community energy efficiency program.
  • Built a coalition of businesses, financial institutions, the local utility, building contractors, the economic development council,  local governments and others to promote energy efficiency.

 Key to the success of their work so far has been a set of very simple but powerful tools which helped them  convert talking to action.

  • They communicated a compelling vision for a new energy future,
  • They challenged potential partners– community organizations and institutions — to join in a bold county wide effort to dramatically improve energy efficiency,
  • They spoke in language local leaders understood, especially linking energy efficiency to cost savings and other benefits for the community, and
  • They made and followed up on specific requests and offers among themselves, and with potential partners.

 

In the next installments of my blog, I’ll expand on this story, covering some of the major stages in developing the program:

  • From “somebody should” to “let’s get started”– Early discussions, setting priorities, and initial outreach efforts
  • Expanding the reach –Recruiting partners and establishing identity.
  • From nice words to real money– Gaining financial support

, , ,
Posted in climate change, collaboration, coordination, sustainability