For there is always light
if only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it.
Amanda Gorman
What does it mean to listen architecturally?
It means beginning to listen bravely.
An organizational leader that I was working with knew that he needed to raise philanthropic funds for his organization to thrive and grow, but they historically had struggled in this area. He shared numerous reasons why this had occurred in the past, and many were reasonable. Now they needed to figure out how to move into the future with a reliable and successful plan to raise funds. This is where I came in.
We set about crafting a road map together. We became the architects of a process to move their organization forward and address the presenting issue of needing to raise funds. To be the most significant help to the organization, it was essential that I really listened to what the leader said was needed (raising funds) and what the leader was willing and able to do at that point. Was he ready to meet with people to share the organization's vision and invite their philanthropic investment? Was he willing to invest in the time and dedication this required? Was he even comfortable doing this? If there was hesitance, what could we build together to move this leader into a place of confidence and bravery to step outside his comfort zone?
But first, he had to listen to himself, internally, to recognize a potential barrier to achieving the organization's goal. He knew there were people in the community who would believe in their mission and want to support them, which was what the organization so needed to flourish. But was he brave enough to not only see it but also be it? What would it take to empower him to meet with donors and share the organization's critical mission?
I could have given him the steps of best practices to raise funds and then wonder months later why they weren't being fully implemented had we not spent time building a process that met him where he was at and addressed any hesitation or barriers that existed. This can take more time, but in the end, the leader and the organization will be further along. By listening with empathy, we encourage leaders to bravely listen to themselves and identify what may be an underlying issue, preventing them from achieving their goal.
I invite you to begin to listen architecturally. It's not easy, but with the right people alongside you, those who are truly listening and helping you reflect, it is achievable not only to see the light but be the light for your organization.
Walking alongside you,
Kate Frillmann
Design Group International
Senior Design Consultant
Dig Deeper:
Want to explore more on this topic? Take a look at these resources:
- Humble Consulting: How to Provide Real Help Faster – Edgar H. Schein
- True Leaders Listen – Jeremiah Luke Barnett
- The Listening Post: New ideas in effective philanthropy
- The Third Turn Podcast: Episode 15 - Charitable Intentions and the Third Turn Leader
Process Consulting competencies identified and implemented through
the Society for Process Consulting.
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