29 May Breakthrough Thinking
Breakthrough Thinking for Nonprofit Organizations
Creative Strategies for Extraordinary Results
by Bernard Ross
& Clare Segal
Ross and Segal call on vast experiences and examples of nonprofit application of their ideas to make this an interesting—and practical read.
Essentially, they address the dynamics of change: awareness of the need; resistance; methods and strategies leading to types of change: slow, bottom-up and progressive, Kaizen, or rapid, exponential growth, Horshin.
Both terms just referenced are, of course, Japanese philosophies of change—primarily within business models. Nevertheless, whether a business, a nonprofit, or a charity, everything in this book applies, because at some point in the life cycle, everything requires change! All change involves these four areas:
- risks and challenges assessment
- strategy
- encouraging people and innovation
- leadership
Within the context of these areas, the following two questions need to be answered:
Do we know where we want to go? This is the vision question.
Do we know how to get there? This is the strategy question.
One fascinating thing I garnered from Breakthrough Thinking is the focus on innovation. Exercises to enhance breakout thinking and change perspective are practical and eye-opening! For example, the dynamic of,
Looking Outside to Challenge Mindsets and Bring About Breakthrough: MBWO—Managing By Walking Outside.
Breakthrough thinking is very often not possible from those leading within the trenches.
Creativity, innovation, organization,
and the experiences of pleasure and pain
are all woven into the entire process of change
and Breakthrough Thinking.