Inspired to Greatness

A few times each year I attended conferences related to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the United States.  Though the title and focus may differ, they each host a similar feel.  Inspiring success stories from San Francisco and New York, heart-warming tales of individuals who have overcome insurmountable odds, organizations giving away pencils in an attempt to convince you to hire them for capacity building assistance.  I always leave feeling armed with a notebook full of hastily-written ideas and a renewed motivation to enact change in my own community.  

But during the plane ride home, as I thumb through all the glossy materials I picked up in the exhibit hall, I almost invariably find myself wondering "Can't we can do better than this?"  Fancy flyers don't make a program successful.  Monogramed pens don't make patients feel comfortable coming to an HIV clinic.  Free t-shirts don't pay for expensive medications. 

Now we arrive at what most conference attendees really want to learn about: What does make the difference?  What makes a "good" program become a "great" program?  How can we enact desperately-needed change without spending any money?

Over the next few days I am goign to post my "Five Rules to Greatness" in the workplace.  Whether you're a local charity or a industry leader, these tips will help your organization become the best version of itself.   As a preview, here's the list:

Rule #1: Care.  Really, truly care.

Rule #2: Focus on what you do best.

Rule #3: Be data-driven.

Rule #4: Listen.

Rule #5: Collaborate.