People Power

No matter what plans and goals your business or organization may have, nothing will be successful without the power and energy of a diverse group of people to bring each plan into fruition.

For example, Goodwill Industries relies on the donations of clothing, household items, collectibles, and even vehicles from people in the community to raise the funds for our mission of putting people to work through training or serving the needs of youth or rehabilitating justice served men and women returning from prison.

However, if your team lacks confidence in you as a leader or they don't understand where your vision is taking the organization, they will have a hard time following the plan, which in turn will make it nearly impossible to fulfill your organization's mission.

Many times when leaders begin strategizing how to take their organization to the next level they sit in a quite office alone and map out their plans. Once they get it all together, they deliver it to the team and fully expect everyone to jump on board with their vision, but it doesn't always work out that way.

Engaging your team, board members and other stakeholders, such as community volunteers, is an important step in executing your plan. Share your vision, goals, and strategies, and encourage their input. Collaboration fosters ownership and commitment. Make it clear how each person’s role contributes to the big picture.

It's also a good idea to repeat how important everyone's role is in successfully completing each task and meeting every goal. This can be done in team meetings, periodic messages from the CEO and in Board or volunteer committee meetings.

Once you have their input and the plan has been rolled out, and shared with pertinent staff and partners, then regularly review your progress toward your goals. Set checkpoints, such as quarterly meetings to assess what’s working and what’s not. If you find certain strategies aren’t yielding results, don’t hesitate to adapt. Flexibility is essential in a rapidly changing environment.

As you achieve the milestones, take time to celebrate successes—big or small. This boosts morale and reinforces a sense of accomplishment among your team. Recognition of progress motivates everyone to keep pushing toward the final destination.

Whether in business or in the non-profit sector, having a clear direction, buy-in from key staff and your Board of Directors, will empower you to navigate challenges and seize opportunities, ultimately leading your organization toward success. Start today, and take your first steps towards a brighter future!