Five key takeaways from Bridging Data Divides: Collaborating for Impact
Takeaway 3:
Lead With Humility
Leading with humility and learning from failure are key in building trust. Riisa Rawlins of the Community Health Commission of Missouri highlighted the importance of active listening when working with community advisory boards and other entities providing community feedback—even when doing so may impact project timelines and budgets. Brice Mickey of Beech Acres Parenting Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, spoke of the need to “normalize failure” and “move at the speed of trust.” Zohar Perla of bi3 in Cincinnati noted that the philanthropy sector doesn’t always do this well but that focusing on what is learned—not only on the specific outcomes achieved—is a useful strategy.
Mickey and Perla reflected on how this theme has played out in their own collaboration in a capacity building cohort. For example, when subject matter experts were invited to speak to the group, grantee partners realized they needed more time to think through what skills and tools they needed. The cohort leaders were responsive and waited to bring in the speakers at a time when they could be most useful.
