Shared purpose and direction
When people work together, they win.
A culture built on trust, collaboration, and ethical actions can help to attract and retain top talent and foster a more productive and engaged team.
CASE STUDY
Building Belonging: Strategizing to Retain Diverse Talent
DEIB STRATEGY
STAFF RETENTION
CULTURE CHANGE
ROOT-CAUSE ANALYSIS
CHALLENGE
The partner organization reported struggling to recruit and retain staff with marginalized identities. In particular, staff of color were underrepresented in the organization at large and especially underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions.
SOLUTION
Advancing Agency designed and administered a customized survey to collect data on staff experience through a DEIB lens. In addition, we led a series of focus groups and individual interviews. Following this data collection process, the team produced a thorough report outlining core barriers within the organizational culture, practices, and policies that contributed to these issues. The report also outlined concrete recommendations, and served as the blueprint for a new DEIB strategy developed by the management team and DEI Committee.
CASE STUDY
Steering Together: Aligning Executive Leaders
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
TEAM DYNAMICS
COACHING
ROOT-CAUSE ANALYSIS
CHALLENGE
Through a root cause analysis process, we identified that an executive leadership team was demonstrating inconsistent and at times harmful managerial practices. In addition, challenging interpersonal dynamics were preventing effective collaboration.
SOLUTION
Over six months, we provided a series of personalized coaching sessions to each member of the leadership team, working closely with the COO and CEO to be able to use current organizational challenges as opportunities for reflection and growth in the team’s leadership skills. In addition, the leadership team participated in six workshops focused on building their capacity for constructive conflict, DEIB-centered management practices, and effective team dynamics.
CASE STUDY
Strong Foundations: Launching a New Team
ONBOARDING
TEAM DYNAMICS
FACILITATION
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
CHALLENGE
An early stage social impact company hired new staff into key leadership roles as it prepared to finalize and launch its first strategic plan. The CEO was concerned about the need to rapidly onboard the new team and provide them with a sense of ownership over the company’s new strategic direction.
SOLUTION
Having previously led recruitment and guided the company’s strategic planning process, we worked with the CEO to develop a facilitation plan for a two-day staff retreat. Recognizing that this was the first day of work for several of the staff members, we created immediate opportunities for community building throughout the sessions. This approach enabled us to help create a sense of team identity as the staff worked to define their individual roles, reflected on the intersections of their responsibilities, planned for effective collaboration, and set goals that allowed them to take a sense of personal ownership over the aspects of the strategic plan that aligned with their positions.
Not sure where to start?
Explore a seminar series for your team.
The Ethical Advantage: Elevating Teams Through Effective Leadership
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This workshop is a part of our comprehensive Executive Education Program. Over a series of workshops you’ll explore how to be an inclusive leader and foster ethical and collaborative cultures that leverage the full strength of teams.
In addition to the four workshops and aligned toolkits, we offer individual and group coaching packages to further support you in integrating key learnings.
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Join us for a comprehensive seminar on effective leadership.
Our primary topic will center around adaptive leadership, what it is, and how it is practiced.
You'll learn practical skills and strategies for giving and receiving feedback, managing bias, how and when to respond to uncivil behavior, and communicating through productive discomfort.
We'll explore a real-world case study and work together to build a personalized plan of action.
In addition, we'll discuss tools and techniques for building trust and a sense of belonging within your team.
Don't miss this opportunity to further your leadership journey and cultivate a more productive and supportive workplace environment.
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This training series is designed for executives, formal and informal leaders, and people managers.
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While we can collaborate to develop a training plan that suits your needs and budget, this series is designed as four 2-hour seminars.
We offer both in-person and virtual facilitation.
The Future of Decision-Making: Harnessing the Power of Collaborative Solutions
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This comprehensive seminar will guide you through frameworks and practices for collaborative decision-making. You'll learn how to unlock the full potential of your teams, communities, and stakeholders by harnessing the power of collaborative solutions.
In addition to the four workshops and aligned toolkits, we offer individual and group coaching packages to further support you in integrating key learnings.
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Over the course of this workshop, you'll explore the foundations of collaborative decision-making, including stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and conflict resolution. You'll also delve into the latest research on decision-making processes and techniques, and how they can be applied in real-world situations.
Through interactive lectures, case studies, and hands-on exercises, you'll develop the skills and strategies needed to effectively facilitate collaborative decision-making processes. By the end of the program, you'll have a clear understanding of the benefits of collaborative decision-making and tools you can use to practice it in your organization or community.
Don't miss this opportunity to expand your expertise and unlock the power of collaborative solutions.
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This session is designed for executives, community leaders, stakeholders, Board members and all others that are interested in learning how to tap into collaborative solutions.
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While we can collaborate to develop a training plan that suits your needs and budget, this series is designed as four 2-hour seminars.
We offer both in-person and virtual facilitation.
Equity in Action: Practical Strategies for Advancing Equitable Philanthropy
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This two-part series helps grantmakers, grantseekers, philanthropists, board members and other interested stakeholders explore and identify strategies for enacting more equitable funding relationships. The program will provide a space for participants to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in their work and explore ways to advance equity in their philanthropic efforts.
In addition to the two workshops and aligned toolkits, we offer individual and group coaching packages to further support you in integrating key learnings.
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In the first part of the series, you'll learn about the principles of equitable philanthropy, including strategies for building trust, fostering inclusion, and addressing systemic barriers.
In the second part of the series, you'll work collaboratively with your peers to apply these principles to your own work. You'll have the chance to develop action plans and receive feedback from your peers and facilitators.
Through this program, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics in philanthropic work and learn practical strategies for advancing equity in your funding relationships. Don't miss this opportunity to drive positive change in your philanthropic efforts.
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This series is designed for grantmakers, grantseekers, philanthropists, board members and all other interested stakeholders.
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While we can collaborate to develop a training plan that suits your needs and budget, this series is designed as two 2-hour seminars.
We offer both in-person and virtual facilitation.