Strategic planning at its best offers nonprofit leaders a way to create clarity, alignment, and shared direction in an increasingly uncertain environment. Unfortunately some have experienced strategic planning processes that felt like a really heavy lift—or even found the process and the resulting plan constraining.

Episode Highlights

00:03:00 – Common fears and misconceptions about strategic planning

00:05:00 – How strategic planning creates alignment and shared direction

00:07:38 – Planning in times of uncertainty and the reality of disruption

00:09:00 – The value of structured conversations in uncovering vision and assumptions

00:10:00 – Setting intentions and direction without predicting the future

00:10:30 – Reengaging board members through the planning process

00:11:00 – Creating space to surface and address organizational challenges

00:12:00 – Breaking down silos and increasing alignment across teams

00:12:30 – Reducing noise and increasing signal in organizational focus

00:13:00 – Returning to the "why" of strategic planning

Resources:

Scenario planning for nonprofits

About your podcast host:

Carol Hamilton, Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment.

When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

Be in Touch:

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