Foresight: Seeing Beyond the Room—Part 3 of 7
Strategic planning begins with foresight—the ability to anticipate what lies ahead. For association and business executives, foresight is…
Strategic planning begins with foresight—the ability to anticipate what lies ahead. For association and business executives, foresight is…
Executives in both associations and businesses understand a hard truth: strategy cannot be compressed into a single day.…
Strategic planning has become one of the most misunderstood responsibilities of association boards. Too often, organizations attempt to…
So what comes next? If the first 250 years taught us that ideals can endure, the next 250…
Anniversaries invite rituals. Let’s choose rituals that renew the promise. Celebration should be joyful, yes—but also generative. Here…
Honoring the promise means acknowledging the gap. Equality is our creed, but not always our condition. In every…
America’s progress has always been collective. We mythologize rugged individualism, but we live by organized interdependence. Associations are…
On July 4, 1776, a group of audacious citizens set an idea loose in the world: that all…
As the calendar turns toward December 25, we enter a season often defined by giving. Gifts exchanged, time…
As the year draws to a close, many communities will gather beginning December 26 to celebrate Kwanzaa, a weeklong…
On this day in 2022, a single sheet of paper sold at Sotheby’s for $882,000. It wasn’t gilded,…
For many association leaders, December can feel like a finish line — budgets closing, reports due, and calendars…
Even as we move forward into December, the lessons of November’s gratitude stay with us. Here’s a reflection…
We began this series with a stark truth: association governance is not keeping pace with the demands of…
If boards are to become engines of foresight and adaptation, they must embed the Seven Strategic Capacities into their practice.…
The traditional model of governance assumes that authority solves problems: electing the right directors, appointingor electing the right…
We entrust association boards with guiding organizations through turbulent times, yet we too often send directors into that…
Governance is not static. It is a living practice that either expands or constrains an association’s ability to…
Governance is the linchpin of association vitality. Yet too often, boards operate on outdated assumptions, constrained by habits…
In a world defined by acceleration, the length of executive tenures is shrinking. Many association CEOs now stay…
The Executive Director (ED) (CSO) has historically been viewed as the person tasked with maintaining programs, managing staff,…
Associations are facing a cascade of disruptions: accelerated technology, shifting demographics, political polarization, and evolving member expectations. In…
Legacy associations are rich with history, tradition, and identity. But those assets can quickly become liabilities when they…
Membership decline doesn’t usually arrive as a dramatic drop—it creeps in quietly, with fewer renewals, weaker engagement, and…
Introduction AI is no longer a future challenge—it’s a present one. From member data to content generation, associations…
In a world defined by acceleration, the length of executive tenures is shrinking. Many association CEOs now stay…
The Executive Director (ED) (CSO) has historically been viewed as the person tasked with maintaining programs, managing staff,…
Strategic planning has long been a mainstay of association management. Every few years, boards and staff gather to…
Associations are facing a cascade of disruptions: accelerated technology, shifting demographics, political polarization, and evolving member expectations. In…
Have you ever noticed how many times a day you’re interrupted by a push notification that screams “Breaking…
The nature of power is changing. In New Power, authors Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms argue that old…
In today’s BANI world—Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible—change is relentless, systems fracture unexpectedly, and certainty is a vanishing…
Introduction: Juneteenth—celebrated each year on June 19—marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in…
Remember Memorial Day 2025 A Time to Reflect, Honor, and Serve On this Memorial Day, we pause to…
In Abundance, Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler make a provocative point: many of today’s most persistent challenges stem…
In recent years, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts have faced a growing wave of opposition. Some…
Why do so many associations wait until a crisis hits before making the very changes they’ve known for…
In association leadership, every solution is a small victory—until it becomes the next challenge. Strategic leaders are wired…
Creating an effective Board agenda is one of the most powerful ways to cultivate your association’s strategic, foresight-driven…
Association leaders today are caught in a pincer movement of pressure. Internally, dysfunctional governance is slowing progress. Externally,…
I began my professional journey with a dream: to become a symphony orchestra conductor. I studied, practiced, and…
Nature offers a powerful metaphor for understanding the role of an association’s Board of Directors. Like an ecosystem,…
How purpose-driven organizations can stay true to their mission when the world shifts beneath them. In times of…
Introduction Disruptive times test the resilience of every association. Economic downturns, political shifts, social upheavals, and technological changes…
What to Do as Federal Grants Dry Up Under the New US Federal Administration In recent years, federal…
Thinking about associations’ problems if the nation enters another recession is unpleasant but necessary. With economic indicators pointing…
Many associations struggle with the distinction between brand strategy and marketing—often using the terms interchangeably. However, while both…
In organizational leadership, we often hear phrases like “embracing chaos” or “navigating uncertainty” when discussing change. While chaos…
February marks the annual observance of Black History Month, a time to celebrate, reflect on, and honor the…
In the 20th Century, planning processes in organizations were essentially linear. Leaders relied heavily on historical data, assuming…
In the 20th century, communication in associations was a slow, deliberate process. Communications were sent by mail, and…
After almost eight decades on this planet, one might read the blog headline and assume this is about…
Word Count 453 – 3 Minute Read The Association Community is facing a significant challenge from the private…
Often, individuals and organizations resolve to achieve a group of goals or resolutions at the beginning of the…
Word count – 404 / 2 Minute Read The term “BANI” refers to a conceptual framework that describes…
Word Count – 531 – 3 ½ Minute Read Today’s environment requires association leaders to cultivate a mindset…
Word count – 552 / 3 ½ Minute Read In the 20th Century, associations thrived by addressing local…
Innovation is a buzzword in the association world, yet creating sustainable, impactful innovation remains elusive for many organizations.…
As we approach Veterans Day, it’s a poignant time to reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of our…
For decades, associations operated where predictability and stability were the norm. This environment fostered a linear approach to…
Over the following weeks, this blog will explore the changing environment between 20th-century traditions, orthodoxies, and 21st-century realities.…
Adapting for Success in the 21st-Century Association Landscape In the 20th century, most associations operated with a traditional,…
Americans will decide who will lead the next federal administration in a few weeks. While many may view…
E-commerce has transformed remarkably from its humble beginnings in the late 20th century to the highly personalized and…
The Challenge of Association Executive Tenure Why do association executives and CEOs typically remain for only 4.5 to…
The association community has long struggled to adapt to changing external forces. The resistance to change comes from…
Introduction Campaigns mobilize support, raise awareness, and drive action toward specific goals. Unlike programs and projects, campaigns are…
Introduction The PPEC framework—Programs, Projects, Events, Campaigns—offers a structured and strategic approach for nonprofit associations to manage their…
Introduction Events play a pivotal role in nonprofit associations by bringing people together for a common purpose: networking,…
Introduction Labor Day is a time to recognize and celebrate workers’ contributions across all sectors, including the dedicated…
Introduction Programs form the foundation of any nonprofit association, embodying the core mission and providing continuous value to…
Introduction Projects are crucial for nonprofit associations seeking to drive innovation and achieve specific objectives within a defined…
The concept of a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) world, introduced as a successor to the VUCA…
Introducing the PPEC Framework for Nonprofit Associations: Navigating BANI with Strategic Thinking Introduction to PPEC As the association…
Today’s world is changing faster than ever; thus, strategic thinking has become essential for leaders and organizations who…
Last week, we looked atthe thirst for knowledge by Embracing a Learning Mindset and Lifelong learning and adaptability.…
As we approach the 4th of July, a day filled with celebrations of freedom, unity, and patriotism, it’s…
Strategic Thinking is not Strategic Planning – Why? What are the Differences? How to Engage More Strategic Thinking…
Juggling day-to-day tasks with long-term strategy and action can be a challenging feat. While it’s essential to address…
2024 has reached its mid-point, and planning for 2025 is or should be underway. Consider five initiatives associations…
Word Count – 745 – 5 Minutes Read Addressing the Gender Compensation Gap in Nonprofits: A Call for…
Word Count – 357 – 3 Minute Read As an association leader, you understand that your people are…
Word Count480 – 2 ½ Minute read Improving governance is complex for executives because it brings a real…
Word count: 298 – 2 Minute Read Our previous discussion highlighted the importance of investing in professional development…
Word Count 347 – 2-minute read. Personal development begins with a mindset of lifelong learning. There’s always room…
Word count 466 – 2 Minute read While corporations often dominate headlines, associations quietly contribute to public discourse…
In personal growth and success, Curiosity is a powerful force that drives action and fuels strategic thinking. It…
In an era where information spreads like wildfire across social media platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms shape…
Welcome, association executives, to our blog, where we delve into the intricate journey of transitioning from change to…
Associations often grapple with whether to focus primarily on internal factors or look outward for insights and opportunities.…
In recent years, associations and nonprofits have faced mounting challenges related to public trust. Scandals, fraud cases, and…
As we continue in this new century, it is more apparent that members’ needs and expectations are changing.…
As an association executive, you play a pivotal role in shaping the direction and success of your organization.…
Welcome back to our Series on Strategic Capacities! Today, we delve into organizational technology proficiency – a cornerstone…
Talent development is not merely a human resources initiative but a strategic capacity essential for organizational success and…
Welcome back to our ongoing series on navigating the complexities of strategic management. In this installment, we delve…
In the realm of associations, the concept of representational impact stands out as a dynamic force capable of…
In the intricate tapestry of association management, delivering impactful programs is not merely a task but a strategic…
