THE RURBAN FRINGE

Investing in Leadership

[Alicia Evans is the Project Manager - Leadership Programs with Rural Ontario Institute who is helping oversee the implementation of an innovative leadership program in rural Ontario.  Read on for her summary of the terrific Steps to Leadership program.]     
When money is tight, the first disposable “luxury” is often leadership development. 
But when it comes to our rural [...]

Managing Great Expectations

Expectations are notoriously difficult to manage. 
For better or worse, I encounter this all the time in my line of work … where terminology such as ”community economic development” or “rural revitalization” cause blank stares, at best, or total misinterpretation, at worse.
Expectations are toughest to manage when people don’t know what to expect.    
So, when dealing with stakeholders on projects, programs or initiatives, [...]

Why Your Strategic Plan Stinks

I don’t have a five-year plan.  There.  I’ve said it.
Hold on a minute, you say, isn’t strategic planning essential stuff these days?  Certainly every organization I know – profit and non-profit alike – claims to have some sort of long-term strategic plan in place. 
Judging by the proliferation of publications and seminars on the subject, long-range strategic planning is [...]

Speak Loudly and Carry a Very Small Stick

… a lot of small sticks can kindle a great fire.

Cooperation vs. Collaboration

Cooperation is about agreement; it is a structure of interaction. 
Collaboration is about creation; it is a philosophy of interaction.

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