In his new book on planning, Randy Samelson quotes military planner Helmuth Von Motke who said, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.”
If you’ve ever endured a strategic planning process, you might add:
–No plan survives…contact with the board of directors.
–No plan survives…a major donor’s pet project.
–No plan survives…a wordsmith’s 17th revision of the mission statement.
–No plan survives…a simple request, “How can we make this better?”
There’s help!
“Breakthrough” is simply that–a breakthrough for leaders! Brilliant and biblical, this six-step planning model is concise, yet comprehensive. Every chapter is filled with the holy–and the practical (very practical). The wisdom and insights are PowerPoint-worthy but delivered with humility and life-in-the-trenches experience.
Samelson says that “most dreams get stuck along the way to becoming reality. `Stuck’ is where dreams go to die.” To get unstuck, he asks leaders to discover a 3,000-year-old template “to help you break through the barriers that will inevitably confront you.”
Samelson, founder of Counsel & Capital, a nonprofit that “invigorates Christian ministries and donors by advocating biblically-based principles of governance and giving,” has inspired hundreds of nonprofit leaders by helping them merge a credible plan with a credible ask.
He believes a credible plan includes three elements:
1. It is written.
2. It is measurable.
3. It is responsive to the unexpected.
Serving both nonprofit ministries and givers to nonprofits, Counsel & Capital helps people identify key opportunities or obstacles. They focus on the “Key Log.”
Borrowing the perfect metaphor from Fred Smith, Sr., the author explains: “…in the lumber industry when trees are cut and floated down rivers, they are susceptible to log jams. Over time, the industry learned that through satellite images and computer modeling, they could identify the one key log that if blown-up would release the log jam allowing the logs to move toward their destination.”
“Individuals and organizations also experience the equivalent of `log jams.’ Progress is stopped.” Samelson says “there are biblical principles that can be used to identify the key impediment and wise strategies to eliminate it.”
So grab your pen–and answer this brilliant question in 15 words or less (his rules!):
KEY LOG QUESTION:
“Other than money, what one opportunity (or obstacle) if captured (or removed) would most advance your mission/vision?”
Using the six-step plan in 1 Chronicles 28-29, Samelson shares his color commentary on King David’s baton pass to his son, Solomon. This is one succession plan that actually worked! The temple was completed. Solomon thrived. Outgoing CEO David did not whine in the background.
Skip the six-step plan, warns the author, and you’ll face at least three problems when approaching givers:
PROBLEM #1: “You may lose your one chance to make a good first impression. You don’t often get do-overs when you ask people to support your dream.”
PROBLEM #2: “You risk appearing unprofessional. Enthusiasm and passion will not trump adequate preparation.”
PROBLEM #3: “You fail to respect your audience. If you go public before doing the legwork, you’re wasting everyone’s time. If you are unable to provide the basic foundation of a dream, a plan, a leader, and initial funding, you don’t have the right to ask for anyone’s hour, let alone their check.”
Oh, my! In my early leadership years, I gave over 100 talks from 1 Chronicles 28-29, a favorite passage. Little did I know–I barely skimmed the surface of this profound model of biblical planning. To my silent suffering audiences–please forgive me!
But now…you must read this book and go deeper. Randy Samelson’s insights and practical planning wisdom will expand your vision and enrich relationships with your team, your board, and your givers. I’m recommending it to all of my clients.
