Field notes

If you’re on the call list of potential donors for any charity or non-profit, you have likely been subjected to a sequential request strategy without knowing it. Sequential Requests are highly effective. And that has made them very popular in fundraising and sales arenas. Making requests in a planned order doesn’t sound like much of a strategy, but several exemplars of this approach have shown to be highly effective in a variety of contexts. The bottom line is they work.

As leaders look to discern talent, one attribute that is often overlooked is the attitude of gratefulness. People who feel and express gratitude tend to reflect on experiences more accurately and extract lessons from outcomes.

The energy and focus it takes for leaders to stay fully engaged with others in meetings, discussions, and conversations is enormous. Distractions are everywhere, and the mind can wander. Having the responsibility for an overwhelming stack of priorities and issues means even the best leaders can get sidetracked on occasion and lose track of what was just said or shared.

Collective pride is a powerful motivator, especially in organizations and teams that can harness it. Practically speaking, collective pride is the shared sense of dignity, value, and emotional attachment team members feel toward the team or organization they belong to. Such pride is the emotional glue that turns individuals into a united front capable of confronting any challenge. It reflects more than anything else that people feel worthwhile in working together.