Quit the Dreaming and Start the Effective Goal Setting
Dreams can be inspiring.
But they are imaginary. A dream exists only in your mind. Dreams actually don’t come true: goals do.
If you have an issue you are trying to address in your community or your own life, you may dream of a different reality. For example, you may dream that you have more help, or that there was more money available, or that someone (always an unnamed “someone”) will fix legislation or change policy or free up more resources. It becomes problematic when that dream becomes the cornerstone of a plan or call to action because it won’t come to fruition. It will be just another document that sits on a shelf (even though people may have busted their butts to research and consult and have community meetings to create it in the first place)
Let’s say $1 Million is required to put the necessary program in place in your community to address a well defined problem. A plan may identify that the $1 Million is required and why. But that is just a dream unless you can identify HOW the $1 Million will be secured (it won’t drop from the sky, and government doesn’t just drop that kind of coin out of nowhere). You need a goal of outlining how the money will be secured, by whom, and how it will be allocated.
Let’s say 500 units of housing are required to address the current volume of chronic homelessness in your community. A plan may well identify that the 500 units are needed and even articulate subsections of the chronic homeless population that would benefit (families, veteran’s, persons leaving incarceration, etc.). But this is just a dream unless you can identify HOW the 500 units will be secured (no developer is just going to hand over keys to 500 units, and government has not been investing in housing development at this scale for quite some time in most jurisdictions). You need a goal of outlining how the housing will be developed or secured, by whom, and how it will be provided to the 500 households identified as needing it.
People get confused and think plans are a wish-list or an advocacy document. They are not. A plan outlines a sequence of actions that will get the desired result(s) for the desired purpose(s). When a plan doesn’t work and people start point fingers at others because of lack of investment or such, I say shame on the plan creators. Clearly the plan lacked effective goals. It lacked a clear pathway from point A to point B (or whatever point it needed to get to).
Some people get confused thinking that if they have a plan that identifies an issue then others will feel the heed to take action. This is false on a couple of fronts. First of all, the purpose of plan is not to simply shine a light on an issue. It has to have a realistic set of steps that can be taken to actually solve the problem. Secondly, if the only way the issue gets fixed is “someone” else doing “something” then it isn’t a plan. There are no goals identified to put the change into place. The so-called plan is just a dream of what people wish. There is nothing realistic.
Look at the change you want to see in your life or in your broader community or your workplace. If you want to succeed in making the change you need to know the difference between goals and dreams, and you need to make sure you are focusing on goals. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I have a deadline?
Goals are time limited. Dreams can last a lifetime without ever being achieved. If a goal cannot be reached within a specified time it is time to either change the actions so that doing so becomes possible. Or it becomes necessary to recalibrate the goal.
2. Am I investing time, money, and effort to achieve the desired results?
If so, you have a goal. Dreams are free. It costs nothing to fantasize about a desired future. Goals require investment.
3. Is what I am doing grounded in reality?
Goals can be big. They can be audacious. They can be challenging. But they most definitely need to be grounded in the reality of circumstances. If something relies upon non-existent money, human resources or materials to be successful, chances are you have a dream, not a goal.
4. Do I have a clear focus of what needs to be achieved and how to do it?
If so, that is a goal. If not, you likely have a dream. Dreams are fluid. Dreams can perpetually change. Goals may get refined, but if it is the right goal, it doesn’t change.
5. Am I doing or am I thinking?
Goals require ACTION. Dreams can happen without ever actually doing anything (or only writing something on paper and then doing nothing more).
6. Do I control or influence the resources necessary to make this happen?
Whenever somebody or a plan says “the government must do x” or “the business community must do y” or “everyone else in this industry must do z” it is in the realm of dreams not goals. If you do not control or have influence over the resources, then getting the end result is going to be darn near impossible and probably lands you in dream land. (Unless, of course, your goal is to achieve results through advocacy or policy change, but even then you have to have clear metrics of measuring this achievement, not a blind dream of others changing.)
7. Am I producing tangible results?
Goals produce results. Dreams wish results happened or blame others for results not happening. If results are happening, then chances are you have a realistic, producing goal.
Health & Homelessness: This Should Make You Focus on Solutions
We need to focus on housing people experiencing homelessness – families, single adults, and youth. With only a few exceptions (obesity, cancer, stroke), people experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience every other category of chronic health condition. When you consider that some conditions like TB, HIV, diabetes, mental illness, etc. are extremely difficult to control, treat or cure without adequate housing, the impetus to focus on housing should be even greater.
Charity – feeding people on the street, handing out clothes, casual handouts – will not provide an environment where these health conditions can be satisfactorily addressed. Sheltering will not provide an environment to address these health conditions satisfactorily. Housing is required. And then intensive supports and health care. Sometimes there are, what are called “innovations”, really intensive health supports in shelter settings, but these do not create the necessary environment for ongoing wellness.
Certain illnesses while homeless are almost a death sentence. Chronic issues with liver, kidneys, heart, lungs or stomach pretty much make it game over. HIV status is also more terrible to experience as a homeless person than a housed person, and is more likely to result in AIDS.
Unlike the general population with a major health issue, people experiencing homelessness are more likely to have more than one health issue (a 1989 JAMA article showed 8-9 co-occurring health issues within homeless persons was average), and are more likely to deal with co-occurring issues such as a mental health disorder with a physical health issue, or a physical health issue while also having a substance use disorder. As if that was not bad enough, homelessness increases risks for trauma as a result of assault or rape (especially within women experiencing homelessness). It also makes people more reluctant to access care, or believe that they are going to get suitable care when sick.
At the same time, the provision of services in most communities does not focus on health, nutritious feeding. The lack of nutritious food security is a huge issue. This doesn’t meant food is scarce. On the contrary, food can be plentiful. BUT (and this is important) it is rarely prepared to the same standards and inspection controls as you would find in a restaurant, and it is rarely prepared with the perspective of safe food handler guidelines or public health seal of approval.
Then there are other matters like suicide, which should be considered a health issue. Did you know that rates of suicide are higher within the homeless population than the general population? Did you know that between a quarter and half of most homeless populations have made attempts at suicide or experience suicide ideation? The longer you are homeless (beyond six months) the greater the risks for suicide.
Dermatological conditions such as scabies, lice and allergic reactions are way more common in the homeless population than the general population. Imaging the irritations experienced as a result of these. Then imagine what it must feel like to cope with stress, other health issues, and a housing search at the same time.
Then there are women-specific health issues that MUST be considered. Rates of mental illness amongst homeless women are higher than homeless men – by a landslide. STIs within homeless women – most often as a result of prostitution or survival sex – are very high. Most women experiencing homelessness do not receive “routine” scanning and preparatory health access, from breast screening to appropriate gynaecological screening.
I could go on. The matter at hand though, begs the question – so what?
Good housing policy is actually good health policy. Policy that focuses on ending homelessness essentially is health promotion policy. Health promotion saves lives. It also saves money. We need to end homelessness if we want to promote health. And the healthier people that have experienced homelessness are, the healthier all of our society will be. Not a bad thing at all.
Unit Inspections: Are They Necessary Before Moving People into Housing?
I suspect you, like me, want to see program participants move into apartments that are clean, functional, and helps promote the dignity of being housed. Avoiding slumlords is a must. Avoiding units and buildings that are literally falling apart or are unsafe is a must. Is a unit inspection by a third party or a specific staff person with expertise inspecting units necessary to ensure that a unit is in decent shape and suitable to move into and live within necessary?
There is a lot of variation in how this is handled in communities across the United States and Canada. There is not tried and true method for doing it best. I think, however, the 5 biggest factors for consideration are:
Consistency in unit standards – the degree to which a unit may or may not be habitable should not be contingent upon opinions of whomever is doing the assessment;
Scope of assessment – ensuring that what is reviewed is focused on habitable and what would be within a tenant’s sphere of influence to correct or modify if there are deficiencies…not a complete building condition study or engineering audit;
If the process unduly interferes with the ability to get people housed rapidly – while many communities struggle to find housing that is within an affordable price range which already impacts the speed with which people can be housed, having to wait weeks or months for an inspection to occur after a unit has been identified is a no-win situation;
Caliber and reputation of the landlords – the ways in which smaller unit landlords/owners manage their product is often different from how larger property managers/landlords manager their entire portfolio;
Consumer choice – we offer housing choices and not housing placements, and the end user of our services should get a direct say in whether the quality of a particular unit meets her/his/their needs rather than being told by a program that they would be permitted or not permitted to live in a particular dwelling.
If a community/organization does not go the route of having a dedicated staff person to expediently handy unit inspections, that does not mean a unit should not be inspected. Housing support workers/case managers can be trained on how to do a layperson unit inspection prior to move in, which focuses on the same major parts of a dwelling that a third party or dedicated inspector would examine. Using a simple checklist it is possible to remark on the state of repair of such things as water, electricity, general wear and tear, doors, windows, sleeping area, closets, bathroom, kitchen, etc. prior to move in. We also recommend pictures be taken and stored prior to move in so that if there are any complaints or considerations there is documented visual proof of what the unit was like prior to moving into the housing.
If a community/organization continues to want third party or special staff to do the unit inspections, I would recommend that community/organization to be clear with itself on how they believe doing so adds value to the process, and whether there is any household unduly or negatively impacted by the process.
When Servant Leaders Fail
Servant leadership is one of about 10 dominant leadership styles. Much has been written about this particular approach in the last handful of years. Some even proclaim it is the only type of leadership that should be taught or encouraged.
Given that many in our industry are immersed in service it only makes sense to me that there is a natural gravitation of some people to focus on being a servant leader. However, there are some common faults/concerns that you need to pay attention to if you are going to do it properly. Five thoughts:
One-way service does not work. That is really naive, an abuse of your contributions, and a waste of everyone’s time. It is also irresponsible. You serving others should result in those others also serving others. If they are selfish sponges, it is not working.
If you do not challenge self-serving behaviours, the recipient of service leadership will use your energy to only serve her/his self interest. The point of service leadership is to create servants of others as well.
A servant leader must be intolerant of helplessness, isolation, and personal protection of self-interests. Servant leadership requires interconnectivity.
Teams that believe in service leadership are open in their questions of each other: how can I serve you? how can you serve me? how can we serve each other?
Servant leaders provide others the opportunity for growth, however, this is done with very honest and detailed feedback. Issues are brought up with grace. But they are not ignored or glossed over. Great servant leaders have a great feedback loop.
We hope you will consider joining us at the OrgCode Leadership Academy on Ending Homelessness October 20-22 where Servant Leadership – and other leadership styles – will be reviewed as it relates to ending homelessness.
Obesity and Homelessness: A Matter of Food & Lifestyle
Are rates of obesity higher than the general population? Women experiencing homelessness have higher rates of obesity than the general population; but generally speaking rates of obesity are the same between housed and homeless population. A Harvard Medical School study from 2012 proved that.
The bigger question is how does a population group that have very little or no income get overweight to the point of becoming obese? Would it not be more logically expected that persons experiencing homelessness would be underweight? How does this happen?
Lack of access to food while homeless is a myth. Most people experiencing homelessness have an abundance of food options, from soup kitchens and shelters to mobile feeding programs by well intentioned churches or student groups.
Charitable feeding can fill a belly, but does not always have an eye to nutritional balance.
A lot of the low-cost fast food that a person may spend the little money they have on, is high in calories and low in nutrition.
Like a housed person that consumes alcohol, a homeless person consuming alcohol can deal with the same impacts of weight gain because of the alcohol consumption, as the liver converts the alcohol to fat.
Day to day homelessness can be highly sedentary. A lot of time is spent waiting, sitting, and laying down.
Access to structured exercise is limited while homeless. While there may be walking from service to service, it is rarely at a rate to provide significant cardio benefits.
What can and should be considered moving forward to help with this issue?
Where possible, consolidate feeding programs (align forces, compassion and resources!) to reduce potential over-feeding, and increase the quality and nutrition of food being provided.
Focus on housing quickly, as this provides an environment to better address and manage some of the underlying issues related to being obese:
Provide support in nutritious meal planning and preparation when the person becomes housed. (Good and Cheap is a great resource for doing this on Food Stamps)
Encourage some meaningful daily activities once housed that provide appropriate exertion based upon health, age and any other underlying conditions
Promote walking to complete tasks like grocery shopping whenever possible and feasible rather than taxis or bus.
Suggest walking up stairs rather than taking an elevator in larger apartment buildings, when it is appropriate for the person’s health and age.
Help the person getting connected to long-term health supports from a physician so that a focus on overall, long-term wellness can be mapped out.
***SOLD OUT*** The Leadership Academy ***SOLD OUT***
**************SOLD OUT**************
Thank you everyone for your interest! This year’s Leadership Academy is SOLD OUT.
If you want to see what awesome stuff you will be missing you can continue to read below.
Thanks again to everyone who signed up and we will be seeing you in October.
Did you miss the opportunity to join this year’s event? Don’t fret just yet. We have a waiting list. If you want to get on the waiting list please send us your details at academy@wvceh.org .
From October 20-22, 2015, at the renowned Stonewall Resort in West Virginia, OrgCode is holding our first ever Leadership Academy on Ending Homelessness. This is a professional goal of mine come true, and I really hope you will attend. You can learn more about it by visiting the OrgCode website: www.orgcode.com
Why did we pull together the Leadership Academy?
One of the major barriers that comes up time and again in our travels is the matter of leadership. This takes many forms, from getting people to gel around a vision to dealing with fractured service responses; from competing understandings of goals to competition in funds and glory; from coaching elected officials to keeping staff going on the work. While we have given a lot of advice on this, we felt we could do a better job bringing people together.
And then there is the “loneliness at the top” phenomenon which is a real feeling. There are a lot of amazing folks out there that are so alone in their respective community that being the leader makes them a target. What they don’t know is that there are a lot of people JUST LIKE THEM in other cities – and even another country – that have the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE that they do. We wanted to build a community of supports just for leaders.
Why did we decide on West Virginia?
If you only believe the stereotypes of West Virginia I can see your point. Here is the thing: West Virginia is AMAZING! They have natural beauty conducive to the sort of setting that will be helpful for leaders to think, reflect, connect and grow. We did NOT want a major urban location where people would scatter when we were not in session. We wanted a retreat type environment.
There is also the matter of the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. They are helping with logistics and hosts given the academy occurs in their backyard. If you don’t know them, you should. They are change agents in their own right. Plus they are cool cats.
To deal with what may feel like isolation, I am toying with either doing stand up or putting on my musician persona and entertaining people each evening.
Is it worth the price?
In an alternate universe this conference is free and we can invite the people we want to have attend and someone else is going to pick up the tab. But that is not the world we live in. So, there is the matter of cost.
Let me be clear about this (because it has come up): NO ONE IS GETTING RICH OFF OF THIS GATHERING!
Let me be even more clear: THE PROFESSIONAL COSTS OF PUTTING THIS TOGETHER WILL LIKELY SURPASS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY COMING IN!
What will Iain De Jong or OrgCode make off of this? We hope not to lose too much. We hope to at least make the equivalent of our daily professional fees for the three days of the event. All the prep time will likely come at a loss. If it so happens we make some money, we will be sharing that with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness to assist with their change efforts. As the hosts and organizers, they deserve to benefit for their efforts to make this event possible. If we do not make a cent we will still be really happy. I don’t know if you are familiar with one of our four business models: Great Consultants, Lousy Business People.
Also, it would be a mistake to not point out that if 4 or more people from the same organization there is a 25% discount, so long as you register before the end of May.
How did you come up with those topics for the agenda?
I threw darts at a dartboard. Whatever stuck we decided to offer. Kidding.
We focused on the things we thought would be the MOST helpful for leaders from all of our experience and travels. Does that mean every session is going to rock for every participant? We hope so. But I also note as an educator that some material will be more impactful than others depending on your experience and your local circumstances.
What you can count on is really good quality instruction and material. You can count on taking stuff and putting it into effect right away. And you can count on wit and sarcasm. Because, well, look who is leading it.
What does it mean when the promotional material says “Not a Monster Conference”?
We wanted a scale that made sense for networking and connectivity between participants. The format of the training and engagement when it is a room full of leaders is one that lends itself to discussion and reflection in groups. So for instructional reasons we did not want to make the logistics unwieldy or lose the magic of community that comes with a certain scale.
Our original goal was to have 40 people come. That target has been reached. Never in my wildest forecasts did I think we would hit that so soon. Sometimes I wondered if we would reach it at all. If the momentum continues as it has I anticipate shutting down registration if we get much higher than 200 people. I think the likelihood of that happening, though, is wicked small.
If I wanted to know more about how this all came about, who is leading it, or anything like that, where can I look?
We already thought of this. A few weeks ago we put out a backgrounder, which you can find here.