A board member at an organization at which I previously worked used to frequently say, “What got us here will not get us there.” It’s a phrase I’ve often borrowed and have since discovered that he paraphrased from executive coach and author Marshall Goldsmith. I’m not sure of Mr. Goldsmith’s intention (as I haven’t read his book) but I have my own interpretation of the statement, which I will attempt to relate in the next few paragraphs.

When we – Armstrong McGuire consultants – partner with an organization, it’s almost always about looking forward. Projects come in a variety of forms: strategic planning, campaign counsel, operational planning, leadership development, succession planning, talent acquisition, and more. And each of these has a common thread of preparing the organization for its next season. (To be honest, it would seem a little silly to hire a consultant to help you go backward, wouldn’t it?)

Looking forward is frequently about creating change, and change can be hard. For some, the initial reaction to change may manifest in statements like:

• “Back in my day…”
• “Don’t try to fix what isn’t broken.”
• “I don’t know why they changed that.”
• “What’s wrong with the way we’ve always done it?”

Sometimes these same attitudes come through from participants who take part in nonprofit strategy or planning, which is often where the facilitation skills of a consultant come into play.

So how does one balance the past and present with the future? Here are a few tips I’ve learned:

Keep an eye on the past (What got us here…)

• Honor past decisions, accomplishments, and the work of the people who made them happen.
• Recognize that policies, processes, and structures were created because they were the right thing to do at the time.
• View past mistakes as opportunities for learning.
• Celebrate the history of an organization, especially calling out those parts that support the desired vision.

While looking to the future (…will not get us there.)

• Acknowledge that the external environment in which we all operate is in constant flux.
• Advocate for a continuous improvement mindset – even incremental change can make a big difference.
• Position planning for the future as an opportunity to take control over what happens next.
• Make space for innovation and creativity; reward out-of-the box thinking.

Not only do these principles apply to consultants and project participants, but they are relevant to everyone who has a stake in the future of an organization.

For me, “What got us here will not get us there” is not an instruction to dismiss the past, but rather a challenge to honor both where an organization comes from and where it’s going.

What does it mean to you?