by Chris Micklos | Aug 25, 2015 | Advocacy & Activism
Speed, ingenuity, and decisiveness are integral components to the success of any association, advocacy group, or other member-based organization. There are a hundred clichés that tell this story—ever heard of “paralysis by analysis”?—but the bottom line is this: when it comes to association decision making, action is better than inaction almost every single time. Do you remember the classic 80’s TV show MacGyver? Creative and resourceful secret agent Angus MacGyver always had some new trick up his sleeve to escape from danger, always beat the ticking time bomb just in time, always knew what action to take and took it. And he always saved the day. At the other end of the spectrum was the Saturday Night Live parody MacGruber. Remember him? Unlike MacGyver, buffoonish secret agent MacGruber never quite knew what to do, never could make up his mind, and never—ever—beat the ticking bomb. Every sketch ended with a massive explosion and the death of MacGruber. So, how about your association? When it comes to association decision making, are you more MacGyver or MacGruber? Too many times in the nearly 20 years of working with associations, advocacy groups, and other member-based associations, I have seen MacGruber-ish tendencies derail an organization’s agenda, near-term goals, and best-laid plans. Hand-writing over budget. Squabbling over message. Letting the proverbial perfect get in the way of the simply good enough. While the clock was ticking, they were frozen by indecisiveness and indecision…and the bomb exploded. It’s not as if this phenomenon is hard to understand, of course. And it doesn’t just apply to associations or not-for-profits. It also afflicts commercial businesses, political candidates,...
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