Looking Backward to Move Forward, Part 1

Performance psychologists agree: one of the best ways to get motivated for a big new task is to take credit for everything you’ve already accomplished along the way.

That’s why I’m starting 2023 by looking backward and sharing some of the highlights from the great work I had the honor to facilitate with client organizations in 2022.

2022 was a welcome sight. I had a great lineup of clients to work with. On reflection it was a year of gratitude and growth!

Strategic Planning and Meeting Facilitation

I kicked off the year facilitating a strategic planning session for the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture (NGPJV). While we were hoping to be in person in Arizona, Covid got to more than half of us! So, with 2 weeks notice, I transformed the retreat into a 3-day virtual retreat. There we identified five core values to embody and employ throughout their decision-making: 1. Partnership and Collaboration; 2. Trust; 3. Wonder; 4. Flexibility; 5. Purposeful Persistence.

Isn’t purposeful persistence a brilliant core value!? How the NGPJV defined it —“building intention through personal authenticity, group accountability, and ordered priorities”—is a pretty great guiding principle for 2022, 2023, or any year, in my opinion!

After the completion of the process, the NGPJV Management Board and staff are poised to facilitate conservation efforts in the Northern Great Plains that result in healthy ecosystems and bird populations, recognizing the critical role of private landowners and Tribes in supporting their vision of resilient grasslands.

Well, Hello Neighbor

The next amazing group I worked with was the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. While all the groups I work with have big hearts, this group of fantastic advocates have huge hearts. They have been in existence for 36 years working together to create and preserve vibrant prairie landscapes that support abundant wildlife, profitable agriculture, and thriving communities. Why do I say this group has huge hearts? Well….they were witnesses and a great support to me when my father passed. They were literally on a zoom call with me when I received the call from my mother that it was time to come home to say goodbye. This group has such personal kindness and compassion for each other, their partners, the landscape and all the wildlife that resides in North Dakota. So much so that it was no surprise to me that when I interviewed 27 of their partner groups to help inform their strategic planning process, one of the biggest findings was the respect their partners have for their ability to build relationships and be trusted. These are two key components to collaboration. They live what they believe.

Migrating South with the Birds

Then I was off to Alabama to the beautiful town of Gulf Shores at the Gulf State Park Nature Center on the Gulf of Mexico to work with the East Gulf Coastal Plains Joint Venture. We laughed, planned, and felt rejuvenated after not having met in person for 2 years. Oh…the warmth of meeting in person was refreshing and definitely helped this group of scientists bring the “juice”!  What am I referring to? 

These acclaimed professionals with long and outstanding careers were ready to bring their personal love for nature and the planet to the forefront. 

They developed what they termed “Juicy” values to highlight their passion and excitement! My favorites: Boldness, which they defined as the courage to embrace change; and Adaptability, which they defined as approaching programs and challenges with flexibility and creativity. If we all could move forward with Boldness and Adaptability, as Doctor Seuss would say, “Oh the Places you’ll go!"   

Facilitating Growth and Beginnings

I live in Missoula, Montana, and I cherished working with Missoula City-County Health Department Perinatal Substance Use Network, as well as Botanic Garden Missoula in facilitating their meetings. This absolutely grounded me in my home. The importance of helping mothers and children have a safe, supportive start, and the inspirational idea of creating a botanic garden to share the beauty of plants and preserve their seeds --- it’s hard to overstate.

How are you impacting beginnings and helping things grow?

So many things to review—had to split up my reflections. Be on the lookout for more insights in part 2!

 Looking forward to looking back,

 Rachel