It's easy to think people should do things they way we think. I both find myself doing this and watching other people fall to this trap. You've arrived at a new nonprofit. You've worked with another group before. And when similar situations come up in your new environment, you think the answer is obvious. And your sentences begin "At the foundation," "At the other center," "When we used to encounter this..." Not that I'm bashing the seeking and finding of best practices. Because that is all to be applauded. We must continually learn from other organizations what works best and how to be more effective and how to better steward our resources.
But are we (am I) often too quick to speak up with my own solution from another group? First I think it's so important to understand why the group you're with is doing something in a certain way. What's behind the way they react and respond? Perhaps you're not the only one who knows a thing or two.
I'm all for the sharing of ideas. I'm a huge advocate of learning from other organizations and nonprofits who've had great success. And for learning from the failures too.
But I know I am often too quick to speak or think I know the answer. That I know a better way. The best way. When really I could probably stand to learn a thing or two.
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