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Stories That Matter
When Capitalism is Therapy
How free market, capitalism works is formula for social enterprise success: AspenPointe Enterprises VP
Emphasizing a business' strengths is core to the free market and capitalism, and it's that characteristic that has great potential for creating the change social enterprises working with the marginalized aspire to, says AspenPointe Enterprises vice-president Jonathan Liebert. Read More
Demonstrate by Doing, Engage Others: McConnell Foundation's Strategy to Promote Social Finance President Tim Brodhead shares opportunities, challenges from allotting $25 million to generate social and environmental impact
When stock markets plunged during the 2008 financial crisis, it was the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation's program-related investment that outperformed all other investments held by one of Canada's largest foundations. Read More
Why We Should Equip and Encourage our Voluntary Sector to be Enterprising McConnell Foundation president Tim Brodhead says social finance is critically important topic
The non-profit and voluntary sector is doing good work, often filling a role previously done by government, so it's critical to equip these organizations with the tools they need to be successful, says Tim Brodhead. Read More |
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What We're Thinking
Strengths-Based Business Makes a Social Difference
Jonathan Liebert says AspenPointe asks people, "what are your strengths, what do you want to become, and how can we help you get there?"
Jonathan points out that a business that asks these questions and acts on the answers is itself a strength, a social asset. It is a therapy, a pathway of personal fulfillment.
Such an organization will find itself naturally open and democratic. By focusing on the strengths and aspirations of individuals and being open to what might happen if those are brought to fruition is honouring. It also brings to bear a creative force that can make all the difference for the organization. Innovation is likely to abound where people's gifts and aspirations are given play.
This approach is in stark contrast to setting out an org chart then slotting people into boxes, roles that might make sense on paper, or in a manager's mind, but may not make the most of people's strengths.
Job design can instead be a dynamic, emerging work.
The work of a manager is then to be constantly on the prowl for strengths and opportunities to tweak team configuration. The task is dynamic and focused on cultivation of new growth rather than the efficiency of a repetitive, prescribed process. The working assumption is that if we are good at drawing out people's strengths and dynamically configuring them, we will in the end have the best we can possibly get for people, for the firm, and for the customer. Read More
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Stories At Work
Strengths-Based News Program Heightens Engagement After three short months, executive director seeing pay-off of appreciative approach
There are always stories of hardship and sorrow that could be told from personal or organizational perspectives, but there is little by way of inspiration to be found within them. Read More
Media that Elevates can Make Good People Better, Study Finds Lead author suggests this could cast media's role in a new light
A new study shows there is even greater incentive for people to act in a virtuous manner: their story can influence others. Read More
Social Media Boosts Communication for Health-Care Network Building relationships, engaging stakeholders, sharing stories among benefits
As one of the first health-care organizations in the region to start using social media tools, Julie White has learned a few things. Read More
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