Nonprofit organizations tackle complex issues in our communities, and these challenges cannot be solved in isolation. However, many nonprofits face leadership deficits and limited resources, making distributive leadership (link to the first blog post defining this) essential.
One tangible way nonprofit leaders can foster shared decision-making and cultivate leadership across an organization is through the advice process—a concept championed by Frédéric Laloux in Reinventing Organizations and further explored in the Reinventing Organizations Wiki (link here). By integrating the advice process into their decision-making framework, nonprofit leaders can unlock the collective intelligence of their teams and empower individuals to take ownership of their work.
What Is the Advice Process?
The advice process is a decentralized decision-making framework where individuals or teams seeking to make a decision must seek advice from two key groups:
- Those with expertise or knowledge about the issue.
- Those who will be affected by the decision.
Crucially, the person seeking advice retains the authority to make the final decision. This process ensures that decisions are informed by diverse perspectives while avoiding the bottlenecks of hierarchical approval systems.
As highlighted by RVC Seattle (link), the advice process is particularly valuable in nonprofits because it reduces dependency on top-down leadership and enables faster, more inclusive decision-making.
Why Nonprofits Should Embrace the Advice Process
Nonprofits often struggle with challenges such as limited staff capacity, burnout, and the need for innovation to address evolving community needs. Implementing the advice process can:
- Encourage shared ownership – Decisions emerge through collaboration rather than being imposed from the top, increasing buy-in and accountability.
- Grow internal leadership – Staff members gain decision-making skills and confidence, broadening the organization’s leadership capacity.
- Enhance inclusivity – Seeking diverse perspectives leads to more equitable decisions aligned with the organization’s mission.
A Tangible Example: Transforming Team Roles
One nonprofit faced challenges with team role clarity and project ownership. Traditionally, the executive director made most staffing and project decisions, causing delays and frustration among team members who felt disempowered.
To address this, the organization introduced the advice process. For example, when determining who should lead a new community project, the decision-making team sought advice from:
- Team members with experience managing similar projects.
- Staff whose workloads would be impacted by resource reassignment.
- Others affected by the decision or those who could offer different perspectives on potential risks or engagement strategies.
After gathering input, the project lead was selected by the team member who initiated the advice process. This approach not only led to a well-informed decision but also strengthened trust and collaboration within the team. Over time, the organization saw:
- Increased staff engagement
- Fewer decision-making bottlenecks
- Improved program outcomes
Practical Steps to Implement the Advice Process
Nonprofit leaders looking to adopt the advice process can begin with these steps:
- Communicate the concept – Share the principles of the advice process with staff, highlighting its benefits and alignment with the organization’s mission. Engage a team to help define how this process will work. The Organization Wiki (LINK) offers great examples.
- Select a change team that will model the behavior – This group will determine when and how to launch the process, train staff, generate excitement, model expectations, and answer questions.
- Provide training – Equip staff with tools to seek and give advice effectively, such as active listening techniques and structured feedback frameworks.
- Evaluate and refine – Gather broad feedback on the process and iterate based on input, reinforcing the values of inclusion and shared decision-making.
Applying the Advice Process in Your Organization
The advice process can be transformative, integrating core organizational values into everyday operations. Decision-making structures shape culture—by shifting how decisions are made, nonprofits can create a more engaged, collaborative, and effective work environment.
That said, change takes time. Shifting organizational culture requires building, explaining, implementing, and reinforcing new decision-making systems over time.
Heightened Development specializes in change management and can support your organization in implementing structures for greater impact. Reach out if you’re ready to take the next step!