Planning can be an energizing process if the people who will be affected by the plan are part of the planning process. Engaging them in various and innovative ways stimulates creativity and enhances the chances that the plan will actually be implemented. Five best practices for engagement are briefly described below. We’ll give you five more in the May newsletter.

Motivation
Getting people to realize and accept the fact that now is the time to plan can be a major hurdle for some. A short film “We are the Ones” (Star Thrower) can inspire the tepid to “let go of the shore” and jump in the river because now is the hour! Putting off planning can be a recipe for disaster. Planning with a group can provide the support and imagination to build a strong plan.

User Friendly Data
Planning needs to be built on reality. Reality is found in facts, figures, and attitudes. Facts and figures can be graphed to make them easily accessible. Attitudes can be measured on Likert Scales or agree/disagree statements. Whatever can get to the heart of the matter quickly so people know the reality they are dealing with needs to be employed.

Solidarity with the Past
A brief and creative “history lesson” showing the roots of the organization, noting its purposes, the changing times, the presenting opportunities and challenges can give people a sense of solidarity with those who have gone before them.

Prayer and Faith Sharing
For faith based organizations, taking time to reflect, pray and share is at the heart of sharing the past, living in the present and being animated for a great future. For organizations that are not faith based, the same pattern of reflecting on the past to shed light on the present and prepare the group for the future is worthwhile and provides a sense of stability. At the same time it gives confidence to move into uncharted waters.

Capturing Wisdom
Planning, while logical, is not always linear. To help creativity blossom have a “Wisdom Wall” of newsprint prominently displayed. Distribute colorful “post-its” and invite planners to add to the Wisdom Wall as ideas come to them. Often it is the “what if…” ideas that are generated which become the heart of creative planning. Provide time for all to stroll past the Wisdom Wall for ideas.

Next: Five more best practices.

Maureen Gallagher, Senior Consultant
The Reid Group