Sharpen the Saw – Continuous Improvement for Nonprofits

Because the world does not stand still, continuous improvement is essential for nonprofit success. Stephen Covey’s habit "Sharpen the Saw," from his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” emphasizes the importance of ongoing learning and self-renewal. For nonprofits, this habit is critical for maintaining resilience and adaptability. Risk Alternatives’ Foundations for Growth (FFG) approach supports and encourages this habit by emphasizing continuous process improvement.

The Importance of Continuous Improvement

Nonprofits operate in dynamic environments where new challenges and opportunities constantly arise. What worked today holds no necessary promise of working tomorrow. To remain effective, organizations must continually assess their performance, learn from their experiences, and make incremental improvements. Continuous improvement ensures that nonprofits stay resilient, adaptable, and capable of achieving their mission.

How Foundations for Growth Facilitates Continuous Improvement

The FFG approach is grounded in the lean management philosophy pioneered by people like Edwards Deming and used today by organizations around the world to achieve market-beating results. Lean teaches that an organization can never be perfect, but it can always improve. Rather than viewing problems as embarrassments to be ignored or minimized, lean (and FFG) emphasizes that problems are opportunities to make things better. Problems are not “celebrated,” as such, but they are acknowledged as obstacles that can and should be addressed. Furthermore, lean and FFG train that silver-bullet, sweeping “solutions” often don’t work at all or may work less effectively than incremental changes tested at each step by data and analysis. FFG participants learn the value of structured problem analysis and short, testable cycles of activity aimed not at perfection, but measurable improvement.

Benefits of Sharpening the Saw

1. Increased Resilience: Continuous improvement helps nonprofits adapt to changing circumstances and recover from setbacks more effectively.
2. Enhanced Performance: Regular assessment and improvement lead to more efficient and effective operations.
3. Ongoing Learning: A culture of continuous improvement fosters a commitment to learning and professional development among staff.
4. Sustainable Success: By continually refining their processes and strategies, nonprofits can achieve long-term success and sustainability.

Conclusion

"Sharpen the Saw" is a crucial habit for nonprofits seeking to maintain resilience and adaptability in a dynamic environment. By adopting the Foundations for Growth approach, nonprofits can establish a continuous improvement cycle that promotes regular assessment and enhancement.