You're navigating conflicting interests in a community project. How do you ensure positive change prevails?

It’s far too common for organizations and impact teams coming in from outside of the communities they want to serve and making assumptions about needs. Start with listening, but also ask what this community would do in your position and follow their lead. They are the experts! It’s also so important to recognize the power dynamics that will always exist between funder and recipient community - it’s hard to disagree with the people bringing investment into your community so acknowledging these dynamics and demonstrating commitment to following the community’s lead will go a long way in building trust.

Without "Trust" there is no transformation. Connection, Character, and Competence build the trust needed to bring the transformation. You get what you lead. These are truths that a guy named Tim Kight built with me.

SMART goals break the larger mission into manageable steps and make progress visible and tangible. Seeing measurable progress—like hitting a milestone or reaching a specific target—boosts morale and keeps the team motivated. In my experience, it also reinforces the purpose behind everyone’s efforts. Additionally, SMART goals act as checkpoints, allowing the team to regularly assess what's working and what needs adjustment. This keeps everyone accountable and aligned, as it’s easier to course-correct when there’s a clear framework to guide decisions. By continually pointing back to these goals, you maintain focus on the end game: the positive change you are trying to achieve.

True collaboration happens when everyone feels their input genuinely matters. This often means addressing power imbalances and ensuring all voices, especially those which are often unheard, have real influence. I've had success with co-design methods like joint workshops where stakeholders help shape the project. I'm also a fan of using digital collaboration platforms to allow for ongoing input and feedback from stakeholders. This is a flexible and inclusive way for people to contribute, especially when in-person meetings aren't feasible. By diversifying the ways in which people can participate, you increase involvement and can enhance the quality of the collaboration.

It's also crucial to create feedback loops that allow stakeholders to voice their thoughts throughout the process—not just at set checkpoints. Transparency isn't just about sharing information; it's about making sure stakeholders feel like they're part of the journey. I've found that setting up informal check-ins and using digital tools for real-time input can make a big difference. This approach not only fosters a sense of inclusion but also helps to quickly address any concerns and keep project implementation on track.