Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar
Fundamental #21— Be Proactive
BE PROACTIVE — Plan your work. Solve problems before they happen by anticipating future needs. Looking ahead enables us to better capitalize on opportunities.
This principle may sound obvious but to use it well actually requires applying it on different levels.
When applied it to a single project, being proactive can mean looking at all the projects’ steps and milestones and scheduling them out. Using a simple project management template can be helpful (Felicia adapted one for our use a couple years ago that I bet she could dig up).
Since so much of our projects revolve around relationships with donors, agencies or congregations, being proactive may also mean thinking about the personalities and the political dynamics in advance—such as, who will want to “be in the loop” or “have input?” What type of communication is most likely to win their support for this project—e.g. a phone call or a face-to-face discussion? Will the order that people are called make a difference?
When we are working on a new project or a new role, being proactive may mean seeking out someone who has had more experience and asking them what to expect and how to prepare.
This Fundamental is especially satisfying when paired with Fundamental #10 (Get Clear on Expectations).
See here for Shep’s comments on all the fundamentals so far.
