August 8, 2024 | By David M. Wagner

It can be frustrating to feel stuck when challenges are mounting. Where do you even begin?

This article is the first in a four-part series about getting unstuck as I launch Roadblocked to Resolved, my new service for nonprofit leaders who need a roadmap through difficult challenges.

The first step to getting unstuck? Getting a handle on the “real” issues.

Challenges are Not Always What You Think

We had a truism in my previous career: when our clients ask us to solve technical issues, the real problems are always about people.

More often than not, my clients’ true challenges have turned out to be something different than what they (or we) thought they were at first:

• A nonprofit organization wanted help rebranding. It turns out, key stakeholders were confused about their core mission, confounded by an ineffective governance structure.

• A nonprofit founder wanted help writing a business plan. After some introspection, they decided to redirect their mission to better align with their true passions.

• A government program wanted help crafting college class standards to grow a technical workforce. It turned out they could have more impact by educating younger students about technical career paths.

Homing In on Root Causes

When something doesn’t feel right, it’s tempting to rush to address the most obvious symptom. Which can be costly.

So when you feel stuck, name the first challenge you’re aware of, and then ask: Why are things this way?

Asking that question – maybe a few times – often reveals the deeper challenges underlying the surface-level symptoms.

A tool I often use with clients is to create two lists. The first list, “What’s Working,” has value in later stages when you’re deciding what not to change.

It takes some courage and honest introspection to write out the second list: “What’s Not Working.”

Start with the surface-level symptoms (e.g., “staff turnover is high”). As you keep going, deeper challenges are likely to emerge (such as “our culture is not as welcoming as it could be”).

Map It Out

Another great way to untangle a nasty hairball of a problem is to build a cause-and-effect map.

In the example above of high staff turnover, list out some of the possible causes. And then the origins behind those challenges (such as work culture). Then reflect: are there other down-stream issues that stem from those underlying causes?

Knowing Where to Focus

These may sound like exercises in negativity; they’re not meant to be.

Developing a clearer picture of the root causes of your challenges is a necessary first step so you can address those issues.

Most importantly, getting a handle on the heart of the problem makes it easier to decide where to focus your limited time, attention, and resources.

Gaining clarity about underlying issues is one benefit of Roadblocked to Resolved. Stay tuned for more details on that service or, if you’re ready to talk about getting unstuck today, set a free consult with me.