Issue #16

Weekly evaluation inspiration for...

Non-profits who DARE

Hi! I'm Allison and I help non-profits use learning and evaluation to improve their work. I've been told I make it look easy. And I think that's a big problem.

We've been conditioned to suffer in silence. To only show the finished product and not pull back the curtain on how we got there. This is even more true in the age of instagram where people only share their shiniest and best selves.

This is especially a problem for women and equity-deserving groups. We feel like any sign of struggle is an admission of weakness. Rightly so, because many of these 'admissions' have been used to hold us back. I want to normalize talking about these things, so here's a story about a recent struggle of mine.

I really prioritize building relationships with my clients. I'm genuinely grateful when they challenge me and share constructive feedback. I know that it makes our work together better, and I feel like I've done my job well when they're comfortable questioning a draft.

This week, I sent a report to a client and they had some constructive feedback. I want to share my experience with that here, because I want you to know that it isn't always easy.

You see, my first reaction to their feedback was to become defensive. I immediately thought about the ways that it wasn't true. I wanted to justify my work and lean on my 'expertise'.

I know this first reaction well, and I *almost* never give into it. Instead, I step away from the computer and do something else. Go for a walk, enjoy a three hour dance recital, go on with your regularly scheduled program.

The second time I read a constructive message, I can see it for what it is. An opportunity to revise and improve. And that's what we did. I recognized that part of my resistance was that I wasn't sure how to present something differently - so I met with a colleague to brainstorm.

In the end, we submitted something that everyone was happy with. The finished product will be useful for the client, and my team can feel good about welcoming their feedback.

I've put a few free resources on my website. Check them out.