Calling All Busy Organizational Leaders! Hellooo! Happy, Healthy 2024 to you and yours!
It’s been a while since I Blogged. Life has been tough on the personal front, but we are here to serve you in an even bigger and better way this year!
After losing my beloved mom in December, I needed to step back and look at the big picture. She always told me, “Do what you’re here to do!” and HERE I AM back doing what I love– helping busy social impact leaders grow sustainable internship programs!
As my mom taught me, life is all about people and relationships. Even though our work dynamics have shifted dramatically in recent years, it is more important than ever to acknowledge and leverage our people as the assets they are.
Said another way, human connection is everything– so much so that it is this month’s theme here at Visions Internships both for the social impact organizations and purpose-driven young professionals we serve.
In today’s uncertain world, internal capacity building is a smart focus for organizations– nonprofits and for-profits alike– to become stronger and more resilient. The United Nations defines capacity building as “a process whereby an organization strengthens its skills, instincts, abilities, techniques, and resources to thrive in a rapidly-changing civil society.”
We at Visions Internships help socially and environmentally conscious organizations start and run customized, well-oiled internship programs to meet their growth goals. While this is one strategy to build capacity within your organization, there are many ingredients necessary to build capacity.
Here are 5 tips to build your organization’s internal capacity:
- Co-create an Asset Map - Work with your colleagues to identify and discuss key strengths and existing assets in your organization, especially those valuable but underutilized skills, abilities, and interests of your team members.
- Decide what to measure - Since we measure what we value and value what we measure, clarify what you and your organization want, then determine your Critical Numbers and related KPIs are (more on this topic coming in April!).
- Understand and leverage your people - Use various assessment tools such as StrengthsFinder, DiSC, and Predictable Success to ensure you have the right people in the right places to meet and exceed your goals. Even AI requires the right people.
- Encourage frequent feedback - Ask people what’s working, not working, and to provide suggestions for improvement regarding their current work situation. When you listen and respond to people, they feel appreciated and heard, even if you disagree.
- Foster a culture of growth and service - When your people feel like you care about them and their personal and professional growth and development, they will be happier, more productive, and stay longer– resulting in a massive positive impact over time.
Feels appropriate to say at this point in my piece… Let’s Connect!
I’d love to chat with you! If you are a busy social impact leader looking for new ways to grow your organization, such as developing an internship program, feel free to book a Connection Call with me. In this free one-on-one 25-minute session, offered Monday afternoons via Zoom, we will discuss where you are and where you want to be as an organization as well as identify your top challenges and next steps, including possibly working more closely with Visions Internships. If you are interested in having a conversation, please Email [email protected] and put “Connection Call” in the Subject line.
A final thought– I hope you will connect with the people and causes that mean the most to you this month.
To Your Success!
Amy