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Tanya Darisi, executive-in-residence, Capacity Canada
OK, so maybe I’ve read too many graphic novels, but zombies are definitely on my mind.
The image of the undead mindlessly plodding along, spurring futile efforts and fixations, is surfacing as a metaphor wherever I look. I see them hoarding at the very top of the resiliency cycle, where a rigidity trap keeps them feeding off the precious time, talent and resources of our beloved sector.
Think about it: at the very heart of resilience is a continuous and simultaneous cycle of growth, release, and regeneration. This cycle is what keeps us moving forward, adapting to change in contexts and conditions. Resilience is necessary to the ongoing achievement of outcomes and impact.
What sucks the life out of resilience? Permanence. Maintenance. The undead.
“But this is our way of doing things, we put so much into it, we can’t just let it die.”
Yes, you can. And it is okay to do so. Longevity is not an indicator of success, nor of meaningful social change.
The undead are those programs and initiatives where participation, engagement, partnerships and funding are waning; where outcomes and impact are elusive; and which drain us of energy and resources.
Yet we hold onto them because they’ve been around for a while and we feel committed. People count on us. They have expectations.
Letting a model, program or collaborative partnership go does not mean the issue is no longer important or the people it serves no longer matter. What it means is that there needs to be space for different ideas, relationships and ways of doing.
That’s resilience. It’s not easy, but it is essential.
Leaders focused on achieving substantive social change know that there are moments to be ruthlessly strategic about where to invest time, energy and resources. This isn’t easy either. Enter strategic learning, and investing in the capacity of non-profit leaders to make smart decisions and redesign as needed.
Strategic learning is an approach that marries evaluation and research to decision-making, strategy and adaptation. Through investing in strategic learning, leaders and designers are equipped with the knowledge and insight they need to make bold, confident decisions.
A strategic learning and resiliency approach can help you confront the undead as well as identify what you should nurture and expand. Arming yourself with insight to make these decisions can only better equip you to excel, serve the community and truly reach the change you want to see in the world.
