Archive for October, 2011

 

When Dumb Things Happen to Smart People

Posted on: October 26th, 2011 by Hayim Herring

Oops Sign

Did you ever finish a board or committee meeting that left you asking, “How could such a smart group of people make such a dumb group decision?” Pastor Landon Whitsitt explores this question in his book, Open Source Church. Drawing on the work of author James Surowiecki’s The Wisdom of Crowds, Whitsitt writes about diversity as one of the essential conditions needed for smart group decision-making at the church board and committee level. The same applies equally to synagogues. Yet despite sincere intentions, our committees and boards are often far too homogeneous to meet that condition.

True, organizations increasingly try to consider criteria including gender, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation and age when creating committees or adding board members. But if you really want to think about the range of criteria for diversity, look at the diagram that opens by clicking on this link.

What’s the benefit to boards of increasing their diversity? A more diverse board or committee has a greater chance at making better decisions because decisions take into account multiple and even sometimes contradictory perspectives. Diversity generates more creativity in problem solving. And, it can prevent organizations from being blindsided by an issue.

So the next time you find yourself asking the question, “How could such a smart group of people make such a dumb group decision?” look at the composition of the group. In all likelihood, the individuals in the group are already bright, accomplished and caring people. But by increasing the group’s diversity, you will find yourself smiling and saying, “Such a smart group of people and such a wise decision!”

B’shalom,

Rabbi Hayim Herring

New Beginnings for Your Organization

Posted on: October 17th, 2011 by Hayim Herring
Pomegranate

From Here's Kate on flickr

The piercing cry of the shofar from the final moments of Yom Kippur has all but faded. Leaves have turned from green to bright reds and yellows, and the air is getting crisper. In fact, in Minneapolis where I live, I’ve even watched snowflakes fall on my sukkah in some years! As we embark on the year 5772, now is the perfect time to reflect and ask ourselves as leaders, “What can we do to make our work have even greater impact?”

Here is an organizational assessment tool from The Society for Nonprofit Organizations to help you focus your energies in responding to this question. While the tool is not targeted specifically to Jewish organizations or synagogues, you’ll see several areas of organizational development that are worth reviewing as a team with volunteer leaders and professional staff.

In particular, you might want to begin with any of the following sections: Strategic Planning (pp. 2-6), Board Development (pp. 12-15), Marketing (pp. 19-21) and Volunteer Involvement (pp. 35-39). Start by tackling the section where you believe your organization has the most room for improvement.

After you complete your chosen assessment(s), you will have identified some specific indicators of organizational development that you will want to work on in the new year. If you would like help reviewing the results and creating a plan for moving forward, please contact us for a free initial consultation.

The fall holidays are ending…let a new and exciting year for your organization begin!

Hag Sameach,

Rabbi Hayim Herring

Picturing Organizational Teshuvah

Posted on: October 5th, 2011 by Hayim Herring
Touch Up Work

Image from flickr user "Shavar Ross"

Why are “before” and “after” pictures frequently used in ads for products that promise to help people improve some aspect of their appearance? Because a new, positive image can motivate a change in behavior.  For example: a photo of a person who is out of shape is placed next to that same individual after he or she undertakes a challenging exercise regimen; now, that person looks fit enough for the Olympics.  Who doesn’t want to look like that!?

Advertisements that use pictures correctly recognize that visualizing the benefits of a changed behavior is more powerful than just verbally describing them.  Imagining an “improved” self can be a catalyst for initial change.

Personal change and organizational change are similar in this regard. People who participate regularly in congregational or organizational life already carry a positive picture within their minds.  Those who participate less frequently likely carry a negative picture on the subconscious level.  You can start them on a path of greater involvement by helping them change their mental image of synagogue or organizational life.

If you want to test this observation, here’s an exercise to try with your staff, board or some other committee.  Have markers and flip chart paper with a sticky back at your next meeting.  Then, ask board members to draw a picture of the image that comes to mind when describing their synagogue or organization.  Those drawings will tell you quite a bit about their emotional attachment.  I would even suggest that you place those pictures up on the wall at each meeting.

As a leader, it’s important to surface your own picture first and then discover the pictures that others maintain internally.

Challenge your leadership to develop a repertoire of images that are positive, energetic and creative.  Then, in addition to verbalizing any changes you wish to make in this coming new year, reference the mental pictures of your organization as well.  You will find that these pictures will help you achieve the change that you seek.

G’mar Hatimah Tovah,

Rabbi Hayim Herring