A Handbook for Leading Effective Social Change

By Xlibris US

Practicing the Art of Change requires
patient practice and conscious awareness of
your life and actions. Over time, this practice
generates great learning, which produces good
works that really serve people. This handbook
outlines the 10 important principles that
support effective and lasting social change. It
includes a Reflective Leadership Notebook with
guiding questions to help you illuminate your
critical strategic or leadership issues. It is written
for leaders working in philanthropy, in social
serving institutions, in grassroots groups, and in
nonprofit organizations. It is also for students of
community development, public service, health,
or social work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479751037

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Ken Hubbell. 117695-HUBB

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-4797-5102-0

Ebook 978-1-4797-5103-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

The book was catalyzed by the contributions from a handful of wonderful consultants and colleagues who shaped so much of what I know and practice:

•Chanda Camden

•Gary Hubbell (and contributors at his GHC Conversations)

•Dianne Williams

•Joyce Williams

•Freeman McKindra

•Freddye Petett

•Gloria Dickerson

•Claudette Romious

For over 20 years, I’ve been privileged to work and learn with colleagues at MDC, Inc. (Durham, NC). Without my wonderful family in Little Rock, I would not have experienced the power of love, faith, and collaboration that animates my life and enriches this little book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

The principles for practicing the Art of Change TM

Addressing the tough, wicked social problems--the real art of change making

Rehearsing the future while staying mindful in the present moment

A Reflective Leadership Notebook

Your Leadership Resilience Dashboard and tips to address your urgent challenges

How to lead social change and stay well

Introduction

Change happens and it influences all levels of life. It is the essential nature of life, so we encounter it in ourselves, in teams and organizations, in communities and nature all around us. Often, our orientation toward it is dismissive. Often we tend to hope it doesn’t disrupt our plans, expectations, or assumptions. This produces a management approach that is largely negatively reactive to change. We tend to favor a strong focus on risk reduction. A more reasonable approach is to expect everything to be about change. Manage with and for change, building an attitude of alignment and adaptability. Expect it, let go of your natural resistance (or insecurity) and try to appreciate it. This can position you to lead more calmly. It will help you see--and create--new openings for more positive social change.

For just about every challenge there are already numerous books. They are full of good ideas, simple tips, useful tools, helpful references to other resources, and even findings derived from solid research. I have a set that have been profoundly helpful, and I have incorporated many good concepts and ideas into my own consulting and coaching. This is not another one of those kinds of books. Instead, it is aimed at framing the simple truths that animate the tools. It is about the way of social change or impact. I tried to make it the smallest book possible on such a complex topic.

In my first twenty years of community change work, I think I helped advance positive change in the social sector. Working collaboratively with over 60 different clients produced exceptional seasoning and perspective on the Art of Change tm. Through these very different opportunities, I learned how leaders work through strategic challenges to collaborate, innovate, and sustain important strategies.

This handbook is a collection of the