Welcome to Stepping Stones Consulting and the Curve! I like to think of myself on a constant learning curve- I love to learn and be challenged, so I am often pushing myself into new things or outside of my comfort zone. This is a healthy way to be on a learning curve. But I have all too often found myself on a learning curve so steep that, for all intents and purposes, set me up for failure. While I managed to claw my way through most of the time (the times I did not will be a subject for future articles) every organization should want their employees to succeed. It seems obvious, but is too rarely backed up by actions and behaviors in the NGO sector. With senior managers often doing the work of at least two people, in stressful environments, always on call, and often being remotely managed, setting people for success is often treated as a luxury until a program is failing, morale is sinking, or donors start complaining/fleeing. By then the damage is done- to the organization and to the individual’s morale and self-confidence.
Relief and development is incredibly fulfilling work. Watching people’s lives in a community transform after years of hard work, and seeing someone on your team blossom and grow can be powerful motivators- they are for me. Knowing that I was able to help people formulate their ideas into actions and then see the results is humbling. Watching so many of my national staff get selected for elite leadership programs, get sent on assignments or relocations to other countries, or move into official leadership roles in their country is truly humbling for me. I believe that everyone has talent- it just needs to be uncovered or encouraged or supported. I also believe that communities we serve deserve programming that is meaningful and thoughtful; unfortunately though, even the best designed programs can go astray when those in leadership positions are either on too steep a learning curve to be successful fast enough, or people and the positions they hold are mismatched leading to frustration and too much energy spent on trying to “fix” people- or both!
Through The Curve, Stepping Stones Consulting will share with you reflections and lessons learned, answer questions, and spark discussions about your own experiences and thoughts, in effort to help you identify and climb your learning curves more easily.
