Knowing How You Like to Solve Problems

We have all experience that moment when we are in a group trying to solve an issue and we think we know what to do, when suddenly someone speaks up with an idea we would have never thought of that also works.  Perhaps, the two solutions together is even the best solution.  Solving our communities' issues is no different.

The other month, WiserGiving came out with the WiserGiving Style Tool.  The purpose of the tool is to identify how you like to solve problems so that you know better how to focus your philanthropic energies, be it time or money.  Wiser Giving has created six different giving styles:

1. building movements
2. providing direct services
3. making change stick
4. increasing effectiveness
5. public policy
6. research and big ideas

The five minute quiz determines your dominant style by asking you to rate the two types of action you think would be most valuable and effective for addressing eight different major issues of our time.

What I found fascinating was being enlightened to the categories of actions that together solve a problem.  I may not have even been aware of the way you think it's important to solve our community's issues, but it's the fusion of people supporting each of these giving styles that create the real change.
 
For instance:

• To address education would you support analyzing which programs have been the most effective (research and big ideas) or support promoting legislation that enriches schools (public policy).

• To address environmental issues would you support organizing more people to get involved with the issue (building a movement) or support organizations that ensure environmental laws are adhered to (making change stick)

• To address working poor would you support providing skills training (direct services) or strengthening grassroots organizations (increase effeciency).

The quiz gives you six choices per major issue, but you get my idea.  What I think is the most valuable way to solve an issue might not be the same as you think.


TAKEAWAY:

It's interesting to know your own giving style so you can spend your time and money in a way that fuels your soul, but it's equally interesting to learn the other ways to a solve problem.

There is no one right way (or giving style) to solve our communities' issues, but knowing about the other ways to address issues and encouraging the fusion between each of these approaches will support real change.


Thank you to Beth's Blog: Nonprofits and Social Media for connecting me to WiserGiving.