What & How

After years of consulting, I finally asked the key question. Why?

Most clients came seeking help with their organizations. Mostly they asked what they should be doing to keep the organization whole and successful. Once that question was answered, they quickly asked the next one: "How do we do that?" How can we incorporate the best solution into our routine operations?

I did what they asked. I helped with those questions. But experience finally gave me the real question that spells success for the person or their organization.

That question is – Why do you want what you asked for?

Why?

Most of my life has been spent with nonprofits, the intentionally nonprofit, you know, the organizations that provide services and products to people and groups who cannot afford such support on their own. You can call them charities, but that is not truly what they are. No, nonprofits are organizations that do those things that for profit organizations find unrewarding, not worthy of their investment.

So, the why question is important to ask.

Why do you want to do whatever it is you are working on? What is the purpose of your quest? What drives you to do this work?

The answer, of course, is simple. Passion. Aching need to help others who need help. Doing this work somehow makes the helper more whole. Doing this repeatedly with others doing the same, as well as other organizations doing similar work, makes our communities whole. Our society has voids that spell hardship and doom for many. Why this is so is beside the point. The need is real and needs attention. Nonprofits provide that attention.

The what we can do and how to do it comes after we figure out the why we do what we do. When that question is truly studied and known, the other work becomes easier to do.

Let us focus on the why at this time of year. Especially at this time of year.

December 16, 2021

 

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