Community Matters
The Convenor’s Skill Set Part III
Dr. Patricia A. Clary week 16
Have you ever attended an event or a meeting where it was clear that the organizer had not adequately prepared for it? This article will explore the practical aspects of organization and how it leads to successful strategic outcomes for stakeholders. Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of America, once said, “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.” Similarly, AA Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh, likened organization to setting things in order before undertaking a task so that everything is not all mixed up. An anonymous quote also emphasizes the importance of hard work in achieving success. These universally recognized truths underscore the significance of organization.
According to my model of convening leadership, the convenor plays a vital role in collaborative efforts by serving as the project’s organizer and administrator. In this column we look at the convenor in the organizer role. At the forefront of organizing is arranging and coordinating resources, activities, and individuals toward achieving specific objectives resource-efficiently. Allocating tasks and responsibilities to individuals or groups, establishing procedures and systems to facilitate work, and developing strategies to optimize performance are involved. In addition, the organizer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing tasks necessary for ensuring the successful outcome of a meeting or project. These tasks may include setting an agenda, scheduling participants, preparing materials, and ensuring all required resources are available.
Furthermore, in the context of organizing a stakeholder meeting, organization extends to managing relationships with various stakeholders, such as customers, employees, investors, suppliers, and regulators. Identifying stakeholder needs and concerns, developing communication strategies, and implementing policies and procedures to address stakeholder issues may be necessary.
As the convenor, the organizer plans and coordinates activities or events, with the responsibility of determining the undertaking’s purpose, scope, and goals and identifying the necessary resources and logistics for successful execution. Organizers collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure that their needs and expectations are met, and they may also oversee the budget, schedule, and other details associated with the activity or event. Successful organizers possess strong organizational and communication abilities and the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
My research on convening leadership showed that when embraced by the convenor, an adaptive leadership style can be highly effective in achieving successful outcomes in stakeholder collaborations. Adaptive leadership is a leadership approach that emphasizes the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges based on the idea that leaders need to adapt to new situations, learn quickly, and lead effectively in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty.
Adaptive leadership involves diagnosing and analyzing complex problems, communicating effectively, and building relationships with diverse stakeholders, being willing to take risks and experiment, and learning and growing from failures and setbacks. Adaptive leaders are skilled at facilitating change and leading teams through transformational processes. They recognize that change is not a one-time event but an ongoing process, and they work to build a culture of adaptability and innovation within their collaboration. Ultimately, adaptive leadership is about leading effectively in a rapidly changing world and adapting to new situations and challenges.
As discussed in previous columns, collaboration is crucial for achieving strategic objectives but can also present group challenges. Effective communication is essential, but stakeholders may have different communication styles, and misunderstandings can occur. Power struggles can arise between stakeholders with other interests and priorities, leading to conflicts and obstacles. Disagreements over resource allocation can also occur, causing delays and inefficiencies. Establishing and maintaining trust among stakeholders can be difficult, mainly if they come from different backgrounds. Resistance to change is another significant obstacle, as stakeholders may hesitate to abandon familiar ways of doing things. Addressing these challenges requires strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to the shared goal of achieving the strategic objective. Successful collaboration can create significant value for all stakeholders involved.
While the specific tasks that an organizer may perform can vary depending on the nature of stakeholder collaboration, common tasks that an organizer may be responsible for when convening stakeholders include:
Defining the purpose, goals, and objectives of the activity or event;
Identifying and coordinating stakeholders, including participants, vendors, and sponsors;
Developing a project plan that outlines timelines, milestones, and resource requirements;
Securing necessary resources, such as funding, materials, and equipment;
Coordinating logistics, such as venue selection, transportation, and accommodations;
Managing budgets and finances, including tracking expenses and processing payments;
Establishing communication channels and keeping stakeholders informed of progress and updates;
Managing risks and resolving issues that arise during the planning and execution of the activity or event; and
Evaluating the success of the activity or event and identifying areas for improvement for future events.
In convening leadership, it is crucial to recognize that the convenor is not working in isolation but serves as a vital link between the stakeholders, the strategic outcomes, and the wicked problem. Collaboration is essential when it comes to addressing complex social and global problems. As the organizer of a collaborative effort, the convenor’s role is pivotal for success because community matters.
In Community,
Dr. Pat
Dr. Patricia A. Clary is a columnist who consults with nonprofit and business sector partnerships that promote strategic community impact agendas to solve complex societal issues through governance, collaboration, and convening leadership. Connect with Dr. Clary at patriciaclary.com, or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-clary/. ©2023 All Rights Reserved.
Patricia A. Clary, Ph.D.
Dr. Patricia Clary is a practitioner and scholar. An author, international presenter, President and CEO, Commissioner, lifelong learner, and community builder Clary is passionate about empowering professionals in personal and professional pursuits. She is well-known for her expertise in working with diverse stakeholder groups to help communities and global societies solve complex issues through governance, collaboration, and convening leadership. Clary’s most recent peer-reviewed journal article addresses The Phenomenological Effect of Burnout on Women in the Nonprofit Sector and Implications for the Post-Pandemic Work World. In this article, Clary illustrates the benefits of addressing the phenomenon of burnout from a system-design framework where the effects of burnout and the implications to the organization are considered at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
As a member of the International Leadership Association (ILA), she is the Past Chair of the Public Leadership Member Community and is on the Women and Leadership Member Community Executive Leadership Team. Moreover, she is a contributor to ILA’s Building Leadership Series Reimaging Leadership on the Commons: Shifting Paradigms for a More Ethical, Equitable, and Just World with her chapter on Convening Leadership on the Commons: Initiating Stakeholder Networks to Solve Complex Global Issues. Additionally, she holds memberships with the International Association for Strategy Professionals, the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), and United Way NEXT. She serves as a Commissioner for the Municipal Recreational Improvement District and was recently certified as an Interim Executive Director. As of January 2023, she is a syndicated columnist with her weekly column Community Matters. You can follow her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-clary/.