Fearless Inquiry: A Communication Model for a More Sane, Efficient Nonprofit Organization

by Craig Howard

Book Overview

Frequently people who work for nonprofits, or who serve as board members, have no formal nonprofit training. They became involved with a nonprofit because of a passion for the cause, or because parts of their education or other experience in life suited the nonprofit. This makes for wonderfully diverse people and skills working toward success. On the other hand, it often leads to holes in knowledge - and personal concerns that one may ask "stupid questions." Yet encouraging both the asking and the receiving of questions opens up communications in a way that groups of people will leap ahead in their idea creation and problem solving. Your served communities will be the beneficiaries. Fearless Inquiry adapts a model of communication developed by the aviation industry that allows everyone on your "crew" to ask a question or point out a possible issue before it becomes a problem. Adopting "Crew Resource Management," or CRM, into your organization, you'll find everyone feels more connected. Leaders who may have had a negative reflexive response will learn that being asked questions is healthy. When asked appropriately, they are not being challenged by questions, they're being encouraged to lead with information. Nonprofits are highly creative workplaces. Programs, fundraising, and public communication and engagement are just a few of the ways nonprofits and the people within must be agile. It is unlike most traditional environments, where you know what you're selling, and the people within the company are trained to design, make, and market into known channels. Nonprofits need to think differently, and by having a structure to communicate well internally, thoroughly thought-out solutions happen organically. Many nonprofit organizations work really well, and communicate internally very effectively. But in my nonprofit consulting practice, First Creek Partners, I have seen time and time again where dysfunction, friction, and "plateau syndrome," all are rooted in a rigid, codified communication system. "It's just how it is here" doesn't need to be so. With additional chapters on how to run meetings, and how to move past 'analysis paralysis' to consensus, Fearless Inquiry can help. This book alone may be enough to get your organization moving in a new, open way. For more ideas take a look at www.fearlessinquiry.com.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1542462037
• ISBN13: 9781542462037
• Release Date: April 2017
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.2" x 6.0"