Affinity News
Volume 5, Issue 2
April, 2008
In this issue:
* Greetings
* Mission, methods & tools
* Feature: Saying the Creed
* Speakers Corner
* For more information
* Why you received this newsletter
Greetings:
I had a great intro written for this newsletter, but had to discard it. It had to do with the warm air blowing in the window. But that was last week and this is Wisconsin! The weather changes by the day. In fact, warm or cold, the wonders of Spring are something to cherish. It’s good to walk in the early morning hours. The sounds of migratory birds, as they spend a brief moment with us, are always a gift.
The feature story in this issue speaks of the power of keeping organizational mission out in the open. It also speaks to the problem of an unquestioned mission statement. The story speaks of the religious tradition I participate in, but does not ask you to participate. It also makes some observations you may not, necessarily, share.
I hope this Spring is a time of renewal for you and the activities you are a part of. I hope you have a chance to share the gifts you’ve been given and that you partake of the gifts others bestow upon you.
As always, let me know if I can help,
Dan Lococo
Mission, Methods & Tools:
The mission of Affinity By Design, LLC is to help organizations meet their goals by overcoming obstacles. The method for accomplishing this mission is the intentional bringing together of a community of people to pursue a common interest based upon mutual trust and understanding. The primary tools employed by Affinity By Design, LLC are founded in the disciplines of group facilitation, Systems Theory and project management.
Feature: Saying the Creed
As a kid, I remember being dragged to church by my father. I recall one morning, as we were leaving church, my father exclaiming: “Don’t you feel better now you’ve gone to church?” “No”, I thought, “I feel like I ruined a good morning of sleep.”
Like many kids, I’ve grown up to be much like my father. I go to church just about every Sunday. I participate in a different religious denomination than I was raised in, but find little difference in the way weekly services are conducted.
At one part of the weekly service, we all stand and recite the creed. It’s not exactly the creed I grew up with, but pretty close. What strikes me is how well the creed summarizes the religious tradition. The fact this same creed is recited in unison, all over the world, is a powerful part of my religious experience.
Many of the details of the religious tradition I am a part of are publicly shared on a regular basis. There are a wide variety of cycles and ceremonies illuminating the faith tradition, and the institutions supporting it. While faith itself involves the acceptance of mysteries, there are few mysteries associated with the tradition and institution.
Lessons Learned:
There is great power in having a shared creed, a shared mission, a shared culture. The term “cultural norms” refers to a consensus on what is normal within a group. This consensus provides for transparency when it is documented and readily available for review.
On the other hand, when a creed is not dynamic, it can become irrelevant. I recall buying a pair of Thom McCan shoes some years ago. Their corporate mission was posted by the cash register. I was so impressed with their commitment to quality and service I made a copy of the statement. About three months later, the sole separated from the top of one of the shoes. Much to my surprise, the staff at the Thom McCan store seemed confused at the suggestion they would stand behind the quality of their shoes.
When I stand up in church and recite the creed, I find it a powerful statement of our shared beliefs. At the same time, I can’t help but wonder how the very same institution could have protected all those pedophiles. Similarly, there has been a marked increase in the recitation of “The Pledge of Allegiance” since the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001. There is a disturbing contradiction between the illegal wiretaps, torture, prolonged detention without charge and our pledge of “freedom and justice for all”.
Applying The Lessons:
I’ve heard Disney tells its employees (Cast Members) it takes twenty-seven positive interactions to offset one negative experience. This observation is at the heart of the gap between the stated creed/mission/purpose of organizations and observable actions. The bigger the gap, the greater the resources required to compensate for contradictions.
There could be a number of reasons why the actions of an organization are in conflict with its stated purpose:
* The organization has outgrown its original purpose and needs to restate its mission.
* The organization has lost its way and needs to get back to its roots.
* The organization may have diversified in such a way that individual business units need to define there own statement of purposes.
* It may be time to simply drop outdated programs or business activities.
The key to closing the gap between the stated purpose of an organization and what it actually does is healthy communication. If everyone is free to ask “”How does this activity support our purpose?”, the organization is likely to self-adjust as time goes on. This is what Peter Senge refers to as a learning organization. If, on the other hand, an organization is hostile to questioning the gap, there are twenty-seven things that can be done to smooth over the situation. But who has the time and resources for that!
Add your comments:
The story above has been published on the Affinity By Design blog. You can become a part of the story by going to: < http://affinitybd.blogspot.com/>. You’ll also find web-only content there.
Speakers Corner:
Dan Lococo regularly speaks to groups on a wide variety of topics. Here are a few of the presentations Dan has done for groups in the recent past.
* Vision to Action: On how to move from high-level goals to the small steps it takes to get the job done.
* Having Skin in the Game: A light hearted look at the difference between volunteering and volunteering to navigate for a blind driver in a race car.
* Living our Spirit: On the ways we give ourselves to the world.
* Learning from Plan B: On the gifts that come when things don’t go as expected. (Co-presented with Helen Lococo)
If your group or organization needs a speaker, let Dan know how he could help.
How Affinity By Design, LLC can help:
Is it time to do some analysis of what’s effective and what’s not? This would be a great time to look at how your organization can bring its best to the table. You might be surprised at what you’d find. You’ll also be surprised at how Affinity By Design, LLC can help.
Dan Lococo brings many years of experience in business process analysis, finance management, and group facilitation to Affinity By Design, LLC.
There are a number of ways your organization can take advantage of these skills and experience as it becomes more effective in the delivery of its mission.
* Group presentations: As an experienced public speaker, Dan Lococo can address your organization or professional association.
* Structured brainstorming: A facilitated brainstorming session can help your organization reach a consensus on how to measure what is most important.
* Model building: A business model can quickly and effectively communicate important information. The integration of analysis tools and graphics allows for the communication of sophisticated information with a minimum of data collection.
* General consulting: Affinity By Design, LLC can provide a customized combination of facilitation, analysis and consultation to meet the special needs of your organization. General consulting engagements are based upon a mutually agreed upon project charter.
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Dan Lococo
Facilitation, planning, analysis
Affinity By design, LLC
414.333.5846
Web: <www.AffinityByDesign.com>
Bringing people together to get things done.
Copyright 2008, Affinity By Design, LLC. All rights reserved.
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