4 Foundations: Part of the 6+4 Nonprofit Management System
ETHOS
What it is: This is your north star. Your direction, Your core values set and your culture. This is all about who you are and the kind of world you want to see assuming you could solve the problem you’ve articulated in the Big Questions.
Key Elements:
Vision - how do you see the world if the problem went away?
Mission - what solution are you presenting to solve the problem?
Values - what are the guiding principles through which you filter every decision?
Culture - what kind of organization do you want to create? What is it’s personality, vibe and community norms?
Pro Tip: You can get hung up on defining your ethos and brainstorming key words and pithy statements. You can also get caught choosing words that depict what you wish you were instead of what you actually are. Spend some time on this - but then set it aside and come back to it. Test the values. Try them on for size. Tweak them. Once you can articulate your ethos, and be confident in it, it is easier to wield the power it offers.
Need help?
We can consult for your organization and help you figure out how to plan and manage any of the Four Foundations. Let’s set up a call and talk through what you need.
