Let’s talk: A love/hate relationship with conversation

by Adaobi Okolue
follow me on Twitter: @aokolue 

In our work as nonprofit professionals, conversation is also our go-to for addressing topics affecting our society and sector: lack of diversity and inclusion, racism, achievement gap, homelessness, intergenerational workplaces…the list goes on. Yet in all our casual and suited-up exchanges, are we really moving the needle toward transformational change, or are we just talking ourselves in circles?

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Innovate or Die: The Fight to Establish a Culture of New Thinking

I’ve been having this recurring dream that’s got me wondering what the next couple of years in nonprofit land (and my perceived state of freedom) will look like. In my dream, I’m making stops at local nonprofit organizations in one of those white cargo vans with conspicuous ’60s flower-printed curtains draped over the back windows.

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Who’s got the power? You do.

Power. When we think of it, we often associate it with individuals who have the ability to exert it over others: Executive directors, presidents, board of directors, etc. We seldom believe that we—in the early-mid or even infancy stages of our careers—have the ability to turn the wheels of an organization with the same might as an executive director.

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Resolutions are so passé.

I am not Miss Cleo, but I can provide you one painstaking revelation about your life last year with almost 100 percent accuracy, minus the exorbitant 1-800 charges. Ready: There is nothing you can do to change it. Absolutely nothing. So, there is no need to fret or dwell over the reviews of your internal critics. Instead, resolve to make your first footsteps into 2011 with some sort of direction. I’m not force-feeding you the resolutions lecture. I’m talking about goal-setting.

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