The Power of Human Connection

Nonprofit organizations are hurting right now amid the political chaos of the day. More specifically, staff, volunteers, board members, and community members are hurting. Struggling against the tide is not a new thing for nonprofit organizations. Working to address critical community issues—whether housing inequity, educational disparities, LGBTQ+ rights, or other pressing needs—means confronting established systems that resist change. This work inherently involves swimming against powerful currents of status quo, entrenched interests, and institutional inertia. Progress requires not just identifying problems but persistently pushing forward despite the forces working to maintain existing conditions. It is the nature of mission-driven work. Despite the sector’s adeptness at overcoming challenges, the current situation seems insurmountable at many levels. How can we regain our foothold?

Developing strong and bold visions for our organizations in the current climate can seem futile, given the destabilizing effect of the current turmoil. Similarly, asking people to share personal information about why their organization’s mission is so important to them can seem pointless. These are, however, the very activities that we are asking board members and staff to engage in during one-day retreats that we have recently facilitated. They are more than just ‘feel-good’ activities.

Envisioning activities are, by definition, focused on the future. By contrast, sharing personal stories is what your therapist might call a ‘here and now’ experience. The two activities are, however, strongly connected. Taken together, they create a synergy that propels teams forward and inspires hope, understanding, engagement, and human connection.

At the individual level, sharing stories encourages a connection with a person's intrinsic motivation and values. Reflecting on such powerful moments dissolves feelings of isolation and hopelessness and generates a sense of meaning and purpose. The mutual sharing of such experiences promotes human connection and leads to the rediscovery of hope.

Building on this sense of hope and community, collaboratively shaping a positive and vibrant future for your organization is both inspiring and purposeful. This collective engagement transforms your shared vision into meaningful action that defines your path forward.

Having accomplished this work, the task of identifying tangible action steps towards the realization of your community’s vision is quite intuitive. It is a process that also tends to neutralize the obstacles that initially seemed insurmountable. This is because these two activities create a synergy that transforms the perception of the group. It is through this process that nonprofit boards and staff can rediscover their foothold and become “unstuck”.

It is through human connection that we can overcome today’s challenges and create a future based on inclusion, generosity, hope, and human connection.