The Art & Science of Listening: Reverberations of Philanthropic Impact
Called to reimagine the practice of listening, Bob Lichtenberg, a man with no hearing, exceeds all expectations.
With an obsession for music, his passion and ingenuity resulted in a mind-blowing breakthrough –– the ability to enjoy music through his hands, a mylar balloon, and vibration.
With reverberations of Bob Lichtenberg’s story in mind, let’s explore what makes someone exceptional at listening, reading the vibe, detecting both overt and covert signs, especially regarding philanthropic impact opportunities.
Effective listening is critical to understanding and aligning the yearnings of the philanthropically-inclined with the impact of our work.
The enhanced practice of listening begins with how you understand the wholeness of a person, their humanity, as well as the essential role they might play in furthering your organization’s impact.
With this in mind, as you delve deeper into your donor relationship practices, first think about your donors/investors with expansiveness. Begin to consider ways you might elicit and listen to their authentic voice to deepen their commitment to your valued work.
Food for Thought, Here are My Truths.
Donors are deeply valued constituents who also have needs.
Donors want to matter (beyond their financial resources)
Donors have rich treasure troves of stories and experiences and deep-seated values.
Donors yearn to engage and invest in things that perpetuate their values.
Donors want to feel a sense of hope and inspiration.
Donors must trust that your organization will be an excellent steward of their benevolence.
With the arrival of the Spring season, let’s all reawaken our senses— fresh air, human connections, and listening to the hearts of others for their songs of possibilities and philanthropic impact.
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