The Nonprofit board's duty of foresight with Jeff De Cagna

Mission: Impact

In episode 102 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Jeff De Cagna discuss the concept of the "duty of foresight," stressing the need for boards to prepare for future challenges. They critique traditional leadership paradigms and promote stewardship as a more inclusive and effective approach. The conversation covers various topics, including the evolution from VUCA to BANI and the need to challenge orthodox beliefs to create resilient and forward-thinking organizations.

Episode highlights:

Duty of Foresight

[00:07:00] - [00:010:00]

- the concept of the "duty of foresight."

- the importance of boards anticipating future challenges and preparing accordingly.

Evolution from VUCA to BANI

[00:14:00] - [00:17:30]

- the shift from VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) to BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible).

Challenging Orthodox Beliefs

[00:19:00] - [00:24:00]

-The need for nonprofit leaders to question and confront orthodox beliefs.

- examples of outdated beliefs and suggests alternative approaches to foster innovation and resilience.

Leadership vs. Stewardship

[00:30:00] - [00:37:00]

- Critique of traditional leadership models, arguing that they often emphasize winning and greatness in unproductive ways.

- Stewardship as a more collaborative and sustainable approach to governance.

Preparing for Future Challenges

[00:37:00] - [00:23:00]

• the importance of collective responsibility on nonprofit boards and shared vulnerability in addressing complex issues.

Guest Bio:

Jeff De Cagna FRSA FASAE, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC in Reston, Virginia is an association contrarian, foresight practitioner, governing designer, stakeholder/successor advocate, and stewardship catalyst. In August 2019, Jeff became the 32nd recipient of ASAE’s Academy of Leaders Award, the association’s highest individual honor given to consultants or industry partners in recognition of their support of ASAE and the association community.

Important Links and Resources:

Jeff De Cagna

Foresight First LLC

VUCA https://www.mindtools.com/asnydwg/managing-in-a-vuca-world

BANI https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeroenkraaijenbrink/2022/06/22/what-bani-really-means-and-how-it-corrects-your-world-view/

Reasons to be cheerful newsletter: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/

Threatening Thirties series:

https://www.naylor.com/associationadviser/the-threatening-thirties-part-i/

https://www.naylor.com/associationadviser/the-threatening-thirties-part-ii/

https://www.naylor.com/associationadviser/the-threatening-thirties-part-iii/

Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/characteristics.html

Related Episodes:

Episode 15: The Nonprofit Executive Director-Board Chair relationship

Episode 42: Building shared governance

Episode 55: Helping nonprofit boards move toward greater equity

Episode 61: Impactful nonprofit boards

Episode 97: The business imperative of facing climate change

Episode 99: Elevating nonprofit governance

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