Building a culture of creative flexibility
- Successful revitalization organizations need to think quickly and act flexibly even when their funders move slowly and have rigid rules (although some funders may also need to change their thinking to support good revitalization work!).
- A helpful way to think about the mindset that is needed to do good revitalization work is to consider the “guerilla” approach instead of the “gorilla” approach
| GORILLA approach | GUERILLA approach |
|---|---|
| Waits for something to happen | Makes something happen |
| Feels constrained by the rules, what they can’t do | Sees opportunities and possibilities; rules are just a starting point |
| Concern with not doing anything wrong | Takes risks to achieve the vision |
| Believes resources are limited | Believes resources are expandable |
| Views community participation as a burden | Views community participation as an opportunity |
| Spending down the budget = fixing the problem | Solving the problem = knowing what’s going on, setting outcomes and strategies, evaluating progress |
| Explains programs to customers because they have no choice | Sells programs to customers because they do have a choice |
| Program driven; administers programs | Results driven; programs are tools; manages outcomes |
| Believes they have little control because there are so many factors | Believes they have control because of their ability to influence |
| Source: Michael Schubert, “Organizational Skills for Success in Revitalization.” © NeighborWorks® America Training Institute. |
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