In the nonprofit world (and probably elsewhere too), do we have a tendency to focus on what's comforting and measure up others according to our own measure of passion for a cause? Whether it's the Board seeking its next Executive Director, a founder struggling to raise funds to get their project off the ground, or a nonprofit looking for new ways to diversify its revenues, I see two common human traits that hold us back: 1. We can be blinded by our passions for a cause that as a result, we fail to see opportunities before us; OR 2. We tend to gravitate to the familiar to the detriment of considering outside possibilities. Both situations blind us from the COMPETENCIES needed to succeed. As the saying goes, "Birds of a Feather, Flock together". That can be good but it can also exclude the experiences and competencies of those from outside your normal spheres of influence. In my opinion, those in this life that succeed master the three circles of optimism vs. reality: 1. Knowing what we’re passionate about/who we’re familiar with; 2. Understanding what we can be the best in the world in; and 3. Knowing what drives our economic engine.

1. Do we confuse familiarity &
passion
with competence?

2. Eating away at the mission
we can lose sight of the bigger picture

3. In fact, we in the nonprofit sector can
fall victim to our own “reality distortion
fields”

4. …and we may not always have all the
answers!

5. Too often, there’s a
tendency to…
Insist on getting a plan together before starting/
waiting for “the right conditions”
Believing only those with “your measure” of
passion can “measure up”

6. But the consequences
mean…
Waiting on your own
efforts (even with
mediocre results)

7. –Mike Tyson
“Everybody has a plan…until you get punched
in the face!”

8. Passion only matters if
you have

9. Birds of a
feather…
flock together

10. …and so too do the
same ideas and
perspectives!

11. Passion only matters if it leads to an innovation that
delivers impact
Example: revenues, profits, improved process
performance, or something entirely differently.
This is one reason why good venture capital investors
dole out capital in stages.
They are waiting to see if the vision that looks so great
on paper bears any resemblance to reality.

12. 3 circles
optimism vs. reality
what we’re
passionate about/
who we’re familiar with
what drives our
economic engine
what we can be the
best in the world in