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Deepen the Organization Decision-Making Process for better Collaboration

I’ve seen one huge, underlying problem in my decades of for-profit and non-profit work (including work with individuals, couples, students, organizations, businesses, non-profit boards, the homeless, addicts and alcoholics, couples, business owners and employees, the mentally and physically disabled, the wealthy and the poor).

The huge problem is that we don’t have an agreed-upon way to make decisions and create solutions at a level that leads to true collaboration and unity of effort rather than compromise and competition for scarce resources. I believe we need a fresh way of approaching our personal and systemic problems, planning efforts and programs. Problems can’t be solved at the level they’re created.

Over the last 3 years I’ve been using a model of conflict resolution, relationship enhancement and decision-making that frees people from old patterns of thinking and connects them at a level deeper than strategy. It’s based on the global and evidence-based work of Marshall Rosenberg and is called Non-Violent Communication (NVC).

The model includes a simple and profound 4-step process. It works like this – people worldwide make the decisions they make in order to meet certain basic core human needs like connection, empathy, play, creativity, sustenance, health, belonging, etc. People trained in the 4-step process and language of NVC are more connected to themselves and others in the moment and more able to collaborate effectively to meet their own needs and the needs of others. They are more creative and they make better decisions. They make better spouses, parents, managers, employees and leaders because they see their own world and the world around them with fresh eyes, understand their own reactions in terms of needs met or unmet and they understand how to communicate to meet needs with the least social or personal cost.

I suggest a statewide pilot program to train organizational leaders in the language and process of NVC modeled after the proposal I sent to Deschutes County and the City of Bend for staff training.

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    anonymousanonymous shared this idea  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →

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      Million Dollar Ideas: Community Building

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      Oregon was once known as a place where new, creative thinking flourished and people weren’t afraid to face hard truths and take bold steps. But lately Oregon conversations are full of pessimism and cynicism. We all know Oregon is in a world of hurt. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing what’s wrong here.

      Meyer Memorial Trust wants to help change the tone of the conversations and jumpstart action that again makes our state a place where ideas begin and grow. But we need your help. Tell us what you think is the most pressing issue facing Oregon that an investment of up to $1 million from MMT could provide meaningful support and leverage over the next two years. Give us your best ideas about the form that support and leverage might take.

      This is not a time for faint hearted suggestions. We're looking for bold and innovative approaches. And while the nonprofit sector is proving itself to be resilient, innovative and inspired in these times, we need to move beyond categorical thinking and invite all sectors to work together to address the issues we face before it's too late. This is not the place for an organization to make a pitch for funds on its own behalf. We’re looking for ideas that rise above individual organizations and constituencies.

      Asking for public input in this kind of forum is new for us. Frankly, we don’t quite know what to expect. But we have faith that Oregonians will take this process seriously and contribute their best thinking. We believe Oregonians are ready to reengage and stay engaged and work together to find solutions. But awarding the million dollars depends on the quality of ideas—if we don’t have sufficient participation or we don’t find a good match with MMT’s mission and values, we reserve the right to find another route to helping create a better future for Oregon.

      We are confident Oregonians won’t let us down. We expect lively—but civil—discussions. We desire innovative, entrepreneurial ideas…the kind Fred Meyer might have had.

      Thank you for jumpstarting a better future for Oregon by submitting your million dollar idea below and/or commenting on ideas already suggested.