Most experts who study organisational effectiveness agree that the single most important variable for organisational impact and success is leadership. When leadership is healthy, employees are engaged and confident, joy and camaraderie abound, there is clarity of vision and support to achieve goals.

A clear mission comes from a clear vision. Vision is what we can see in our mind’s eye as a destination we are moving to. Mission is the statement about how we will get there. A mission statement is inspirational, focussed and clear, guiding all major decisions to build strategy and achieve impact.

An organisation’s culture is its personality, the essence of how its people interact and work with those inside and outside the organisation. A healthy culture is one in which team members collaborate, share knowledge, communicate and, most importantly, enable each person to be and bring their best.

It’s important to remember that your brand is not your logo, but the sum total of all the interactions with your organisation. An organisation’s brand should enjoy a healthy level of exposure that builds trust, tells the impact stories and communicates a clear value proposition with all stakeholders.

All organisations need resources to achieve their strategic aspirations. An organisation that is healthy in the area of funding has established an income model which considers suitable income sources and a fund development strategy to sustain the organisation through both short- and long-term goals.

All too often, there’s a discrepancy between an organisation’s strategy and its reality. Strategy takes time and thoughtful investigation before it can be effectively applied. Good strategy is built on a well-researched theory of change and is evaluated according to realistic goals which lead to innovation, expansion, quality improvement and diversification.

Operations are the organisational infrastructure, systems, and processes that ensure things get done efficiently. Systems and processes allow for effective management of communication, data, and resources. Good financial management practices consider budgeting, cash flow planning and cost awareness throughout the organisation.

The overseers seek to ensure that the organisational mandate is executed through qualified leadership, good governance and adequate resources, ensuring a high level of accountability. They are responsible for overseeing leaders, stewarding the mission, and ensuring the organisation meets its legal and ethical obligations.

Evaluation is the analysis of outcomes to determine whether we are making progress toward our mission. Measuring impact keeps the core narrative alive. When we honestly assess our impact, we weigh reality against the organisation’s intended purpose.