November 19, 2020

Transformative Communities Series:

Generative Designers of the Future
Part 5 of 5

By Mark Clarke

Part III: Action Plan and System Alignment

There is often a tendency to put tremendous energy and due diligence into setting the visionary course. Energy dissipates, however, as the group moves into establishing the action plan. If a group wants to have an impact and participate in the shifting societal process, it is crucial to have energy and passion for developing the action plan. The commitment to this phase of the process aligns the visionary aspiration with a committed implementation plan.

The creation of an action plan is a spiritual discipline that involves choosing appropriate priority actions to achieve a visionary direction. This spiritual path requires learning how to handle conflict and disappointment. The process also requires that difficult, sometimes tricky choices be made. It necessitates detachment from one's own will for a larger common good. Our individualistic society creates a real challenge to this type of commitment. At this point in the process, critical aspects are the prayerful reflection and seeking “oneness” of engagement as the congregation moves into the future.

The action plan defines the key priorities and initiatives crucial to achieving the visionary direction. The first step in creating a plan is assessing the current community assets needed to accomplish the vision as well as its challenges. It involves establishing initiatives, for example, that strengthen the formation, infrastructure, fiscal viability, and human resources to achieve the vision.

In Daniel Christian Wahl’s book, Designing Regenerative Culture, he affirms the critical importance of establishing an action plan when he states, “by exploring the potential feedback loops, limits, dynamics and key relationships within the system we can move to a deeper questioning in searching of organizing principles and policies that structure the system and drive its behavior.”11

The creation of a bold vision leads to asking four vital questions in the development of an effective action plan.

• What are aspects of our culture that need affirmation and change to achieve the visionary direction?
• What are the key activities, structures, and current initiatives that no longer serve the larger purpose?
• What are the current strengths and capacities within the system that are important to continue nurturing and developing to implement the direction?
• What are new initiatives, structures, collaborative relationships that are vital to implementing the vision?

System Alignment

The final step is aligning the entire system to the direction and implementation. It is critical to define the vital role of each area and staff member in achieving the visionary course. The alignment of the system builds ownership, investment, and creative imagination in the implementation process.

The alignment of the structure focuses on all aspects of the structures like ongoing formation, advancement, finances, human resources, etc. so that all understand their role concerning the community key priorities.

Defining the human, financial, and needed the capacity to implement the vision is essential. The following are some important questions to reflect upon in the system alignment stage.

• What capacities no longer serve our purpose, and what new skills or capabilities do we need to develop within our leadership and staff?
• How do we deepen the collaboration and relationships among our departments and partners to achieve the vision?
• Do we need to establish new partners if so with whom and for what?
• How is our current structure supportive of the vision, and what aspects need to be adapted to strengthen the achievement of the visionary direction?

System alignment is often overlooked, yet it is a vital segment of the planning process. There is a tendency to believe the current structure and capabilities are sufficient for the new plan. Imperative for achieving a bold direction, the current system often needs fresh ideas and adaptation.

Summary

Carl Jung stated, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside awakes.”12 The transformative community walks a sacred path when it enters into its collective heart space to awaken its visionary aspiration. As a group walks the spiritual journey reflecting on the trends, developing a visionary direction, planning for action, and establishing alignment, they become like gold tested in fire. They create as Acts of the Apostles describes, “The community of believers were of one heart and mind...”13 The commitment to this process deepens the bonds of relationship and connectivity for achieving the desired future grounded in mutual trust, working through differences, and unfolding spirit within the individuals and groups. As Amelia Earhart stated, “The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity. “14

11 Wahl. 88
12 Storm, Laura Hutchins Giles. REGENERATIVE LEADERSHIP: the Dna of Life-Affirming 21st Century Organizations. Wordzworth Publishing, 2019. Print. 118
13 NAB, Acts 4:32
14 Brinkley, Douglas. American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race. HarperCollins Canada,