THE UP-IN-OUT TRIANGLE
People have used shapes to convey complex topics in more simple, digestible ways across various practices. This triangle interpretation is a tool I created to help organizations (and individuals) develop strategies and identify actions that will enable them to maintain their existence (IN), leave marks of impact on the world (OUT), and make progress toward achieving their envisioned future (UP).
By intentionally focusing on developing in each of these three areas rather than one, organizations have the ability to better outlast, adapt, build, and transform in the spaces they wish to impact.
MAINTAIN EXISTENCE (IN)
Filing the paperwork, having a solid mission, and securing your initial dollar is just a beginning for the complex organizational journey. To fulfill the goals and aspirations that led to its founding, it takes strategic thinking, effort, and support to make sure it lives to see those things through.
This entity exists- so what? Understanding and clearly articulating the "so what"—the significance of the org’s existence, the value or ROI/SROI it provides, and identifying who cares enough to support it through social, human, and financial capital is a vital piece of this equation. Additionally, having the right people, processes, and systems (including culture and mindset!) in place enables organizations not only to survive, but to truly thrive.
Are we expressing our mission, vision, and value clearly and strategically enough that what/who we need can find us?
LEAVE MARKS (OUT)
Organizations, movements, inventions, and innovative concepts have been born out of perceived need, lack, or opportunity since the beginning of time. There are those that can be remembered by name and those that cannot, yet their impact can be seen and felt generations later through a lasting legacy.
Legacy can refer to both what you receive from the past and what you contribute to the future. But legacy also happens in the everyday seeds of what and who you influence and impact- in ways even beyond your knowledge. To leave a mark that cannot be erased, orgs need to building something that can outlive them, something from which other things can be born, built, sustained and reimagined.
How does our community, industry, or world look different now because this organization exists? If it no longer existed, would they notice or feel our absence?
ACHIEVE FUTURE (UP)
Some organizations are either heavy on the ‘in’ or they may even find they also excel in the ‘out’, but they existentially remain in the same place- satisfying a mission but not having a clear vision to align with, journey toward, and hold accountability to.
Organisms (which are purposed to adapt, evolve, grow) also factor ‘up’ into their strategy- intentionally learning, edifying, and making progress toward the actualization of the tomorrow they believe is possible because of the work they’re doing today.
How is our current way of being, thinking, and doing as an organization (or organism) actively shaping the future we envision?
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