Ep 217| Strategic Planning Isn't an Implementation Problem - with Dr. Renee Rubin Ross

Send us Fan MailA plan built by a few people at the top and handed down is just paperwork. Dr. Renee Rubin Ross argues real ownership comes from who's in the room while the goals get decided, not just who signs off on them.Dr. Ross is the founder of The Ross Collective and author of Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits. In this episode, she and Britt break down her five-step spiral planning process, including step zero: how to know your organization is actually ready to plan. They also talk about what happens when planning uncovers real dysfunction, and how to tell whether it's a planning problem or a leadership one.Grab Renee's free Strategic Planning Template, the Five-Step Spiral breakdown, and sample strategic plans in the links below.Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits (book) can be purchased here The Five-Step Spiral, explained here Get Your Free Strategic Planning Template here And, Sample nonprofit strategic plans here Chapters:00:00 - Why Traditional Strategic Planning Fails02:10 - Why Write Another Book on Strategic Planning?04:47 - The 5-Step Spiral Planning Framework07:26 - Balancing Visioning with Concrete Execution09:29 - Why 3-Year Strategic Plans Work Best10:50 - Step 0: Assessing Organizational Readiness12:51 - Navigating Internal Tension & Staff Culture15:45 - The 3 Circles of Participation (Deciders, Builders, Sharers)18:46 - Translating Your Plan into Action (Using RACI)22:13 - What You Lose by Excluding Frontline Staff23:35 - Where to Find Dr. Ross About Donorbox: Donorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations to raise over $4 billion worldwide. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show