2023: delivering impact in dark times
We encourage our clients to build on what is strong, take time to reflect on achievements and, in celebrating success, identify the next level of stretch.
So, we thought we’d do the same and came together as a team to reflect on the year just gone. Here we share our highlights from 2023.
Through 2023, we partnered with organisations working with some of the biggest issues of our time – from declining biodiversity and climate change, to health inequalities, to poverty and human rights. These issues matter deeply to our clients – and to us – so not surprisingly creating personal resilience, trusted and supportive teams and establishing clear boundaries around what an organisation is able to deliver have been strong themes through the year.
Given how tough the year has been, it is a joy to witness our clients achieve significant breakthrough moments with new ways of working or new chapters in their history. We hope that by sharing these we can bring some warmth and light this New Year.
All together now
Our work typically engages senior teams and the board. Frequently when we start our work there is a sense of two camps. And yet, leading well into an uncertain future requires the energy and input of all.
That is why we were particularly thrilled to hear a client reflect that “resetting the relationship between board and senior team has been an unexpected dividend of this strategy work”.
More than the sum of our parts
Collaborative efforts are always complex – and particularly those that involve developing joint policy positions. Our work with a network of independent organisations came together this year with agreement on a major report. We were thrilled that careful preparation and build up of trust culminated in clear, jointly-owned decision-making.
New solutions to old problems
Having an independent set of eyes can help in many ways, including spotting where organisational leaders are making assumptions that turn out not to be true. Our Compass survey creates an independent evidence base. Time and again, it has shown our clients areas of unexpected consensus as well as new challenges.
Drawing on findings from Compass two clients this year had significant breakthrough moments where prior assumptions were turned on their head. This was a critical step in helping them rethink and find new solutions to old problems.
“I’ve got your back”
As we know from our own experience, being a chief exectuive can be lonely. And everyone needs someone who has got their back. In two of our networks we were delighted to create a trusted space where chief executives felt comfortable sharing practical, personal and organisational challenges - helping them move forward knowing that colleagues had got their back.
Look how far we have come
Working on the social justice agenda can be punishing. The work is never done. We are increasingly working with organisations over a year or more – and it is one of the huge privileges that we can create moments for people to remember where they started and how far they have come. This is not self-indulgent or self-congratulatory. Rather it is like refilling the tank so that the work can go on.
Looking forward
Looking forward to 2024, it is clear that there are tough times ahead. But we also know that with perspective, partnerships and support many organisations will have significant highlights and breakthroughs in the year ahead. For our part, we will continue to walk alongside you in this journey of change and share our learning and the resources that help as we go.