Posted on Wednesday, 24th February 2010 by chris wignall

Great insight today from Breakfast With Fred on our tendency to try to typecast leaders according to various models or systems. I’m just going to quote the whole thing it’s so good:

Too many believe in limited leaderships styles.  It is easy to draw up a grid and put people neatly into boxes.  But, true leadership [...]

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Posted on Tuesday, 23rd February 2010 by chris wignall

I am seeing and hearing a lot of charities talking and requesting funding to establish a social media plan and presence. I don’t claim to be an expert in the field but here are my current thoughts for what it’s worth.
The driving aspect of social media is media. At root these are just additional vehicles [...]

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Posted on Monday, 21st December 2009 by chris wignall

This is the time of year when the majority of charities are scrambling to get last minute donations from donors before the end of the calendar year. While most North Americans are trying to enjoy a little extra time off, many Executive Directors, Development Officers, and CEOs are spending hours trying to access and accomodate [...]

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Posted on Tuesday, 8th December 2009 by chris wignall

When I work with students in our high school leadership program one of the things we talk about at some length is the challenge of figuring out the context in which each of us can be at our best; and how to respond when reality doesn’t match our ideal. The thing that truly excellent mentors [...]

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Posted on Friday, 4th December 2009 by chris wignall

We have a hard time getting our minds around relative poverty and wealth. Here’s one helpful idea. Dutch economist Jan Pen imagined a parade in which all of humanity walks past in order of wealth, from least wealthy to most. The parade lasts one hour and people’s heights are also determined by their wealth. (I [...]

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Posted on Monday, 9th November 2009 by chris wignall

It may be the economic issues, poor strategy, or just circumstance; but there are a lot of charities struggling to overcome revenue gaps these days. Over and over again I hear people describing the current fundraising climate as unprecedented. What none of us seem certain on is whether we’re in a period of chaos that [...]

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Posted on Thursday, 15th October 2009 by chris wignall

Paul Polak, founder of one of our partners International Development Enterprises, is currently profiled in The Atlantic magazine as one of the 27 significant people who “who commit acts of moral and intellectual bravery by espousing unpopular or controversial positions.” His listing appears immediately below that of Barack Obama in the front page of the [...]

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Posted on Wednesday, 7th October 2009 by chris wignall

Once a year, at a conference for foundation leaders, I get to have breakfast with Fred Smith Jr. He is one of the clearest thinkers, most generous mentors, and best connected leaders I’ve been spoiled to connect with. Breakfast with Fred is a highlight for me every spring.

Breakfast with Fred is also the name of [...]

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Posted on Thursday, 10th September 2009 by chris wignall

A few brief thoughts on the opportunities and challenges of social media:
-I can learn more from a good blog then I can from most books
-I love facebook, but can’t get excited about twitter; yet
-These are the perfect vehicles for building Tribes
-Your nonprofit should have someone assigned to blog at least weekly something relevant to your [...]

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Posted on Thursday, 10th September 2009 by chris wignall

Next month I will be participating in the Why Everything Must change conference in Oakville, ON. It promises to be an excellent gathering of some of the most intriguing people involved in global matters of justice and spirituality.

I’ll have the chance to be among an inspiring gathering and also lead a post-conference session on what [...]

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