Analysis Cannot Answer the Question “Why”

One of the really great things we do in Business School is to teach students an abundance of analytical tools.

There’s the basic SWOT analysis – what are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats?

And there’s . . .

Scenario Planning – let’s forecast the possible futures.

Balanced Scorecard – how can we predict future performance by tracking metrics in various operational areas?

The 7S Model of Strategy Implementation – thanks McKinsey.

And most elegantly, Porter’s Five Forces.  I don’t think I can observe an afternoon of presentations by our Executive MBAs without at least one of them working in Porter’s Five Forces.  If you don’t know them, check them out here.

As helpful as these analytical tools are, there is one thing they cannot do for you.  They cannot answer the question “Why?”  They cannot tell you “why” or “why not” you should do something.

Some of the most interesting and important questions of an individual’s or organization’s life, are “why” questions.

Why are we here?

Why is this important?

Analysis can’t tell you your values, your passion, or what you should care about.

The next time you see your team heading down a rabbit hole toward some decision to be made among uninteresting alternatives, you might ask them: “Hey guys, why again are we thinking about doing this?  Why do we care about this?  Let’s get back to the basics.”  Those can be some pretty powerful “why” questions.

Once you know “why,” then those analytical tools can be very helpful in figuring out how and what and where and when.  But if you don’t know “why,” then those really don’t matter.

*The blog title is a quote by the great Systems Thinking pioneer, Dr. Russell Ackoff.  Thanks Russ!

For more ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com   You will find free resources you can download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at no cost.  You can also check out my book, Mission Impact:  Breakthrough Strategies for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested.  And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit Consulting on Facebook.

"Nice Guys" Finish . . .

Which group is least successful in their work life?

“Givers” who are characterized by being helpful, compassionate, caring, and kind?

Or

“Takers” who are always looking out for what is best for themselves?

It turns out that “Givers” make up this least successful group.

And the most successful?

“Givers” as well!

What’s going on here?

It turns out that some “Givers” have learned how to leverage their helpfulness in a way that is good for others and for themselves:  win-win behaviors.  But other “Givers” are unable to protect themselves from being taken advantage of or otherwise protecting their own interests.

Dr. Adam Grant, a professor at the Wharton School of Business, reports on this in his excellent new book, Give and Take.  It is exceptionally well written with cutting edge research that is woven into colorful stories which illuminate his points.

I strongly recommend this book, especially to my nonprofit executive brothers and sisters – many of whom I know fall into this “Giver” category.  Dr. Grant has very helpful, practical advice on how “Givers” can use their natural giving tendencies to enrich their social networks, leverage their giving nature, and be even more successful. 

More importantly, he gives advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of being a “Giver.”  For example, in his chapter “Chump Change” he tells stories of “Givers” who have learned how to be more effective negotiators (e.g., salary negotiations!).  They have changed and are no longer chumps!  He also provides important advice on avoiding "Giver" burnout – a major challenge for nonprofit execs.  The “Giver” nature of so many nonprofit executives is a wonderful part of our culture – but not to the point that it hurts you. 

Learn how to be a more effective “Giver” so you can take care of yourself while also making a Mission Impact.

For more ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com   You will find free resources you can download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at no cost.  You can also check out my book, Mission Impact:  Breakthrough Strategies for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested.  And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit Consulting on Facebook.

The Performance Paradox

Yes!  I want to be a high performer!

Yes!  I want to accomplish all of my goals!

Sorry.  You can’t have it both ways.

What!?!  Why?

While it may seem like a contradiction – the only way to maximize your performance is to give up your desire to attain your goals 100%.

Research on goals shows that the higher you set your goals, the greater performance you will have.*  So, if you want to be a high performer you need to set high goals.

But, the higher you set your goals the greater chance you have of falling short of them.

You need to choose.  What will it be – Performance or Goal Attainment?

High performers know that it is smart to set huge goals.  They use the goals to inspire them to higher levels of performance.  But they care a lot more about their actual performance than whether they completely meet the goal.  The goal is simply a mechanism to help them achieve higher levels of performance.

You can read more about all of this in my article, The Power of Goals.

What will you choose?

I hope you choose Performance.  If you do, you can make a Breakthrough Mission Impact for those you serve.

*A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance, by Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, 1990.

For more ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com   You will find free resources you can download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at no cost.  You can also check out my book, Mission Impact:  Breakthrough Strategies for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested.  And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit Consulting on Facebook.