In the last few months, I have had the opportunity to facilitate processes to support non-profit organisations to integrate key learnings, knowledge, and skills into their organisations #resiliencepractices #socialaccountability #MELpractices.
In my reflections on the conversations and concerns raised, it is evident that we need to be cognizant of our organisation’s structure and how decisions are made.
Organizations have the structure of a board, senior management, and staff; that inform and influence its strategic focus, just like the insect anatomy – head, thorax, and abdomen. The insect’s anatomy makes it effective in its function within the ecosystem. Similarly, we need to understand our organisation’s anatomy if we will integrate these new learnings to influence our organisation's practices and, in turn, be effective in the development ecosystem.
Some of our organizations have a board that has much influence on the strategic direction of the organization (the beetle);
while in some organizations, the board and management have a strong influence (the wasp); and in others, the strategic direction is built from an all-inclusive perspective (the ant).
Therefore, non-profit practitioners must understand how strategy is built in their organisations, as these will inform their entry point in integrating the knowledge, skills, and strategies acquired in #communityengagement #socialaccountability or #resourcemobilization. The absence of this will see these new learnings dead on arrival.
Are you aware of your organisation's anatomy?
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